From The Associated Press, 12/8/05:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/12/08/state/n165504S60.DTL
Contractors involved in San Diego bribery case cultivated political
ties
By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON, (AP) --
The two defense contractors who allegedly bribed ex-Rep. Randy "Duke"
Cunningham, R-Calif., with cash and gifts in exchange for government
business spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to curry favor with
other key lawmakers, records show.
One of the contractors, Brent Wilkes, provided private jet flights for
Reps. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., DeLay's stand-in as
majority leader while DeLay fights money-laundering charges in Texas.
Wilkes also became a "pioneer" for President Bush by raising $100,000
for his 2004 re-election and donated more than $70,000 to California
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who appointed him to two state boards.
There is no indication the donations were improper. Prosecutors have
not suggested that the investigation that snared Cunningham -- who
resigned last week after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in
bribes -- involves other lawmakers.
Wilkes and the other defense contractor, Mitchell Wade, along with
their families and firms, donated generously to dozens of candidates
-- mostly Republicans -- beginning in the 1990s.
Among the top beneficiaries, according to federal campaign records:
_ DeLay, who got about $70,000 from Wilkes and his associates.
_ House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., who
got about $50,000 from Wilkes, Wade and their associates.
_ Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., a member of the Appropriations
Committee, who got about $46,000 from Wilkes and his associates.
In addition, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter,
R-Calif., got about $46,000 from Wilkes, Wade and their associates,
his campaign treasurer said.
Wilkes' and Wade's political activity came as they landed valuable
government contracts, drawing the attention of campaign finance
watchdog groups.
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Harry
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