Pleasanton, CA -- Today, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund announced that it would air new TV and radio ads drawing attention to Rep. Richard Pombo's record on ethics issues, including taxpayer funded trips he has taken and his use of his government staff to work on political campaigns.

Both ads use humor to make their points. In one ad, a young student said she was "pulling a Pombo" for trying to get away with taking lunch from a school cafeteria without paying for it and using student yearbook money to buy a new pair of jeans, likening her unethical behavior to Rep. Pombo's and asking her parents and the school principal why she should be held to a higher standard than her Congressman (Pombo). In the second ad, a business employee said he was "pulling a Pombo" for trying to get away with taking home his company office supplies and convincing a co-worker to do the same, asking why they should be held to a higher standard than their Congressman (Pombo).

"Although the ads employ humor, there is nothing humorous about Rep. Pombo's ethical lapses. He used taxpayer money to go on private family vacations to 15 national parks and then proposed selling national parks off to developers. And he used government staff on taxpayers' dime to work on his political campaign. Voters in his district deserve to know just what kind of person is representing them in Washington," said Rodger Schlickeisen, President of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

"I would never let my students or my children grow up with the impression that they can expect to get away with unethical behavior," said Richard Blackston (55), a school teacher of 24 years from Stockton. "We should expect our public leaders to be good role models of upstanding character for our children to emulate; unfortunately, Congressman Pombo receives an ‘F' in ethics." Read the full statement.

The ads will air on Sacramento television and Stockton radio for one week.

"Principal" See Sally dodge detention by following the example of her corrupt Congressperson. Watch the ad »

"Office" Roger teaches Cheryl how to "pull a Pombo" with the office supplies. Watch the ad >>

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The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund www.defendersactionfund.org provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.