USA Today | Salon.com
Mike McManus, who writes a weekly column syndicated in 30 to 40 newspapers, was paid about $4,000 by the Department of Health and Human Services to train marriage mentors in 2003 and 2004. Since the consulting deals began in January 2003,
McManus has touted Bush's marriage initiative in several of his columns, note
Jim Drinkard and
Mark Memmott. Salon's
Eric Boehlert, who broke
the story, writes: "McManus championed the plan in his columns without disclosing to readers he was being paid to help it succeed."
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Marin: "This administration has tried to pervert our work" (Sun-Times)
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Levey: Gallagher won't be the last writer fingered for payola (ST)
