with Cunningham, limos and hookers - oh my!
Bold and Italics mine.
DHS Finds Missing Cunningham Letter
Support Staffer Unearths Recommendation of Limo CompanyBy Erica Werner
Associated Press
Saturday, June 17, 2006; A08
The letter, dated Jan. 16, 2004, is a character reference by Cunningham, who is now serving a prison term for bribery, on behalf of Shirlington President Christopher D. Baker, whose rap sheet included prosecutions for petty larceny and robbery.
"I have personally known Mr. Baker since the mid-1990s. He is completely dedicated to his work and has been of service to me and other members of Congress over the years," Cunningham wrote.
"Mr. Baker's transportation-oriented business was able to withstand the devastating impact of 9/11, while operating from Hangar 7 at Ronald Reagan International Airport. Please be advised of my full support of his wish to provide transportation services for the Department of Homeland Security."
Four months later, Shirlington got its first DHS contract, for $4 million.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/16/AR2006061601609_pf.htmlDowd: 'Poker, hookers and spooks' - excerpt
Dusty turns out to be a friend of a defense contractor implicated in the federal corruption investigation of the imprisoned Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a former GOP congressman. The contractor, Brent Wilkes, is now entangled in allegations of louche and lewd behavior involving limos, hookers, a poker player with a missing digit from the CIA nicknamed "Nine Fingers," and Watergate hospitality suites where more was offered than just Scotch and pretzels.
very little more @ link, unless you are a member @ Times Select link: :(
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Dowd_Poker_hookers_and_spooks_0505.htmlProsecutors May Widen Congressional-Bribe Case
Cunningham Is Suspected Of Asking for Prostitutes;
Were Others Involved?By SCOT J. PALTROW
April 27, 2006
Federal prosecutors are investigating whether two contractors implicated in the bribery of former Rep. Randall "Duke" Cunningham supplied him with prostitutes and free use of a limousine and hotel suites, pursuing evidence that could broaden their long-running inquiry.
snip>
In recent weeks, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have fanned out across Washington, interviewing
women from escort services, potential witnesses and others who may have been involved in the arrangement. In an interview, the assistant general manager of the Watergate Hotel confirmed that
federal investigators had requested, and been given, records relating to the investigation and rooms in the hotel. But he declined to disclose what the records show. A spokeswoman for Starwood Inc., Westin's parent company, said she wasn't immediately able to get information on whether the Westin Grand had been contacted by investigators.
snip>
Mr. Wade told investigators that all the arrangements for these services had been made by Mr. Wilkes and two employees of Mr. Wilkes's company, according to people with knowledge of his debriefing. He said Mr. Wilkes had rented the hotel suites and found the limousine driver, who had "relationships" with several escort services. Mr. Wade told prosecutors that sometimes Mr. Cunningham would contact him to request these services, and he would pass on the request to Mr. Wilkes or his employees, who then made the actual arrangement. Mr. Wade said that other times Mr. Cunningham called Mr. Wilkes directly to make the requests.
If investigators find that any other members of Congress or their staffs received services at so-called hospitality suites, that could help make a case that they had illegally taken action to benefit Mr. Wilkes in return for favors from him. Mr. Wilkes, his family members and his employees were heavy campaign contributors to several members of Congress. But prosecutors so far apparently haven't found any evidence that other members of Congress had been bribed.
much more @ link:
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114610728002837324-nRnF_ahxSnYdWg6foBQ3_mvCwZ4_20070427.html?mod=blogsProstitution Alleged In Cunningham Case
Investigators Focus on Limo CompanyBy Jo Becker and Charles R. Babcock
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, April 29, 2006; Page A01
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.Cunningham resigned from Congress after pleading guilty last November to accepting $2.4 million in bribes from four co-conspirators, including Wilkes and Wade. The former lawmaker was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison. Wade pleaded guilty to his part in the scheme in February and is cooperating with investigators. Wilkes has not been charged.
snip>
During these financial troubles, Baker's company won a contract worth
$3.8 million with the Department of Homeland Security in April 2004. It appears from federal records that Shirlington Limousine was the
only bidder. The contract was awarded under a program that limited competition to businesses in poor neighborhoods.
(Smells like a Nebraska S&L somehow.)snip>
He stressed that Shirlington Limousine has performed well, saying: "We have not had any problems with this service --
we don't question whether they can deliver because they are delivering." How prophetic! :rofl:
more @ link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR2006042802345.html
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