Prostitution Alleged In Cunningham Case-Focus on Limo Company

[kpete]

Prostitution Alleged In Cunningham Case
Investigators Focus on Limo Company

By Jo Becker and Charles R. Babcock
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, April 29, 2006; A01


Federal authorities are investigating allegations that a California defense contractor arranged for a Washington area limousine company to provide prostitutes to convicted former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) and possibly other lawmakers, sources familiar with the probe said yesterday.

In recent weeks, investigators have focused on possible dealings between Christopher D. Baker, president of Shirlington Limousine and Transportation Inc., and Brent R. Wilkes, a San Diego businessman who is under investigation for bribing Cunningham in return for millions of dollars in federal contracts, said one source, who requested anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Baker has a criminal record and has experienced financial difficulties, public records show. Last fall, his company was awarded a $21 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security to provide transportation, including limo service for senior officials. Baker and his lawyer declined to comment yesterday.

The Cunningham investigation's latest twist came after Mitchell J. Wade, a defense contractor who has admitted bribing the former congressman, told prosecutors that Wilkes had an arrangement with Shirlington Limousine, which in turn had an arrangement with at least one escort service, one source said. Wade said limos would pick up Cunningham and a prostitute and bring them to suites Wilkes maintained at the Watergate Hotel and the Westin Grand in Washington, the source said.

lots more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR2006042802345_pf.html

[justice1]

1. Could somebody help me out?

Is there any connection between this case, and the California company with a Multi-million dollar transportation contract, that involved the crash of the rare Ferrari?

[Kagemusha]

2. Hmm, I vaguely recall that... two pigs at the same trough, I think.

That would be the connection. Unless there's a stronger one the feds will look at each one in isolation and not as a combined scheme. At least without proper evidence proving more. And they don't really need more at this point. They just need to investigate both parts vigorously.

[flyingfysh]

3. there's no connection

The case of the rare Ferrari involved a CEO of a computer game company that went bankrupt.

[justice1]

4. Thanks, I didn't really follow that case.