Scott Rigell – Conflict of interest?

Could a Congressman influence automobile dealership arbitration?

The U.S. Government has gone into the automobile business with significant public ownership in General Motors and Chrysler.

Subsequent to the rash of franchise terminations, Congress passed a law requiring GM and Chrysler to allow dealers to appeal their terminations through arbitration. Locally, several dealerships intend to arbitrate to save their franchises.

Follow up:

Scott Rigell, Republican nomination hopeful for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional district has multiple Ford franchises in the district and his bid for Congress is openly supported by Ford corporate sources. Is it feasible that a sitting Congressman can indirectly influence arbitration thus limiting competition? Should Rigell and his family relinquish their holdings in Freedom Automotive?

Kenny Golden, another candidate seeking the nomination, commented, “To alleviate any impropriety perhaps Scott should turnover the operations to a younger family member, but one shouldn’t have to give up his business interest to run for office”.

The Rigell campaign was unavailable for comment.