Following the recent failures of some of the largest financial institutions in the U.S., the Bush administration signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act into law in October 2008 and created the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Armed with $700 billion of taxpayer money, TARP has been charged with keeping banks and other big businesses afloat during the economic downturn.
Since its inception, TARP has come under criticism for a lack of transparency, oversight, and effectiveness. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) created TARPtales.org to serve as a central repository for TARP information. The site compiles the latest news stories, reports, and congressional hearings related to TARP expenditures in one user-friendly location. Please check back frequently for updates so you can determine for yourself whether we as taxpayers are getting our money’s worth.
About CREW:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials -- regardless of party affiliation -- who sacrifice the common good to special interests. CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach. CREW employs the law as a tool to force officials to act ethically and lawfully and to bring unethical conduct to the public’s attention through:
