He was brand new to the position. Literally no one in his former party would speak to him, and only 1 new democrat had ever been in govt before (Farnworth) to ask advice from on what was normal and customary. The person who was supposed to tell him how things worked (the clerk) was crooked. He may not have done things perfectly, but I he did his best with the resources he had. I can't blame him for taking some time to ascertain what was going on before blowing the whistle. Look at how he was attacked! Imagine if he had gone forward at first blush, without gathering any evidence himself?

There is no way that someone develops this level of crookedness and entitlement in the course of a few months. I have no doubt that James has been at it for years.