Blackmail? Was Cunningham bribed w/ prostitutes?

[Tuesday_Morning]

Prosecutors May Widen Congressional-Bribe Case Cunningham Is Suspected Of Asking for Prostitutes;
Were Others Involved?

By SCOT J. PALTROW
April 27, 2006; Page A6

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.

Besides scrutinizing the prostitution scheme for evidence that might implicate contractor Brent Wilkes, investigators are focusing on whether any other members of Congress, or their staffs, may also have used the same free services, though it isn't clear whether investigators have turned up anything to implicate others.


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>

more at link:


http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114610728002837324-nRnF_ahxSnYdWg6foBQ3_mvCwZ4_20070427.html?mod=blogs

[havocmom]

1. Between the big bucks lobbyists spend and NSA wiretaps on America,

it seems likely a lot of people in positions of authority could be targets of blackmail.

Hoover did it. Not like it is unheard of. This malAdministration seems to have recycled a lot of bad policies from bygone eras.

[JunkYardDogg]

2. Like maybe, Jeff Gannon

Oh I forgot
He's Rove's Main Squeeze

[Tuesday_Morning]

5. others?

from Wonkette:

Boring Ol’ Congressional Corruption Case NOW WITH HOOKERS

<snip>

Mitchell Wade, for telling investigators that you provided a congressman with hookers, limos, and rooms at the Watergate, you are an American Hero. We salute you, corrupt contractor, and hope there are plenty more where you came from.

A couple others who were the beneficiaries of Brent Wilkes generosity — financial and maybe, just maybe, otherwise:

Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis
Rep. John T. Doolittle (received more money than Cunningham!)
Schwarzenegger (though he probably doesn’t need a contractor to get him a hooker)
Duncan Hunter
(OMG OMG) KATHERINE HARRIS

(some of those recipients have “given back” the tainted money to charities — but as we all know, you can’t give back a night in heaven)

<snip>

more at link:

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/duke-cunningham/boring-ol-congressional-corruption-case-now-with-hookers-170000.php

[DemoTex]

3. Josh Marshall (TPM) weighs in on Prosti-gate.

The hospitality suites man cometh?

Okay, Eugene O'Neill it ain't. But we've mentioned here and there over the last year that in the mix in the Duke Cunningham scandal were some 'hospitality suites' in DC where the defense contracting fat cats who bribed Duke also got him and other members of Congress prostitutes and other party-related goodies.

Well, looks like that part of the story is about to bust into the open.

-- Josh Marshall

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

"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." (WSJ.com article w/ my emphasis)

There are some congressmen out there sweating bullets today. Mark my word.

:popcorn:

[Tuesday_Morning]

4. more from WSJ

<snip>

Mr. Wade in February pleaded guilty to giving bribes of more than $1 million to Mr. Cunningham, including cash, antiques and payment for yachts. Mr. Wade, who hasn't been sentenced yet, is cooperating with prosecutors. According to people with knowledge of the investigation, Mr. Wade told investigators that Mr. Cunningham periodically phoned him to request a prostitute, and that Mr. Wade then helped to arrange for one. A limousine driver then picked up the prostitute as well as Mr. Cunningham, and drove them to one of the hotel suites, originally at the Watergate Hotel, and subsequently at the Westin Grand.

<snip>