I love this part of Marc’s post:

… Michaud also revealed that he was paid $80,000 by Beacon as a consultant and that he was unaware that he should have announced as such when he testified in front of the General Assembly as an expert witness earlier this year.

It brings to mind the movie version of The World According to Garp (I don’t remember whether the book has a corresponding scene): Garp is house hunting with his wife, and he insists on buying one that is hit by a plane right before their eyes, saying, “It’s been pre-disastered. We’re going to be safe here.”
In Rhode Island, it isn’t inconceivable that voters would feel safer with politicians who are “pre-ethical-lapsed.” They’ve already learned their lesson… right?