The power of persuasion -- Brent Wilkes and Republican bribery

[Zorro]

Front page story on local businessman Brent Wilkes and how he operated getting earmarked project funds; there's also a nice graphic in the local fishwrap showing 10 Republican reps and senators that received money from this crook.

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Long before he was identified as a co-conspirator in former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham's corruption case, Poway businessman Brent Wilkes boasted of his prowess in persuading powerful lawmakers to help him push contracts through Congress.

To get a $25 million contract for a start-up defense company, Wilkes said he needed about $1.5 million for lobbying and related expenses, according to a lawsuit filed against him by a former business partner. He allegedly told his partner that about half the $25 million would be pure profit.

When Wilkes made that boast, he already had been awarded about $80 million in contracts through the congressional process known as earmarking, which allows lawmakers to slip projects into the federal budget to benefit particular causes or companies.

Cunningham admitted directing federal contracts to Wilkes in exchange for more than $630,000 in bribes. Cunningham and his political action committee also received at least $76,500 in legal campaign contributions from Wilkes and his associates.

<snip>

More at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060205-9999-1n5wilkes.html

[Joanne98]

1. Do we have anybody running against Dolittle yet?

[stillcool]

2. not sure if you're familiar......but....

Daniel Hopsicker has loads of info on this...here's the link, and various articles are listed on the right hand side....
http://www.madcowprod.com/index.html
Also Cannonfire....has an article on the Wilkes/CIA connection:
http://cannonfire.blogspot.com/2005/12/wilkes-and-cia-some-history.html