With Rep. Gibbons's Backing, An Ex-Trader for Milken Wins Millions in Contracts

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

November 1, 2006

Congressman's Favors for Friend Include Help in Secret Budget

With Rep. Gibbons's Backing, An Ex-Trader for Milken Wins Millions in Contracts
A Lawsuit's Sensitive Subject
By JOHN R. WILKE
November 1, 2006; Page A1

On a lavish, weeklong Caribbean cruise last year, software entrepreneur Warren Trepp wined and dined friends and business partners aboard the 560-foot Seven Seas Navigator. Among Mr. Trepp's guests on the cruise ship: Rep. Jim Gibbons (R) of Nevada and his family. The two men have enjoyed a long friendship that has been good for both. Mr. Trepp has been a big contributor to Mr. Gibbons's campaigns, and the congressman has used his clout to intervene on behalf of Mr. Trepp's company, according to congressional records, court documents and interviews. The tiny Reno, Nev., company, eTreppid Technologies, has won millions of dollars in classified federal software contracts from the Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Central Intelligence Agency.

At a time of rising concern over lawmakers who direct or "earmark" federal spending to their supporters and business partners, a growing part of the budget is shielded from scrutiny. This is the "black budget," mostly for defense and intelligence, which is disclosed only in the vaguest terms. The ties between Mr. Trepp and Mr. Gibbons raise questions about an influential politician in America's fastest-growing state, and also offer a rare glimpse of contracts in this secret budget being awarded to a politically connected businessman without competitive bidding.

Mr. Gibbons, a 61-year-old Republican, has been elected to five terms in the House and has served on the Intelligence and Armed Services committees. A former combat pilot and decorated Vietnam veteran, he is stepping down at the end of this term and is running for governor of Nevada in next week's election. His wife, Dawn, ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for the House seat being vacated by her husband.

Mr. Gibbons is in a tight and bitterly fought race. He held a double-digit lead until two weeks ago, when a cocktail waitress said he accosted her after a night of drinking. Mr. Gibbons has forcefully denied the claim, which is unproven, but details of the case have been page-one news in Nevada, and his lead slipped to six points in a weekend poll.


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URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116234941031409783.html (subscription)

On edit: add the photo



Nevada Rep. Jim Gibbons, circled at top, and Warren Trepp, circled at bottom, with families, business partners and friends on a Caribbean cruise last year. To the right of Mr. Trepp is actor Patrick Swayze and, behind him, actor John O'Hurley of 'Seinfeld' fame.

[NVMojo]

1. EXCELLENT! A CONTROVERSY BEYOND MAZZEO!!

[Eugene]

2. Kick: Gibbons ties to businessman questioned (AP)

Posted on Thu, Nov. 02, 2006

Gibbons ties to businessman questioned
Associated Press

LAS VEGAS - Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Jim Gibbons has asked the House
ethics committee for an opinion on whether he improperly reported a Caribbean
cruise that was paid for by a software entrepreneur with military contracts.

Gibbons sought the advice Wednesday, following a news report that raised
questions about his ties to businessman Warren Trepp, Gibbons campaign
manager Robert Uithoven said.

If the committee recommends Gibbons amend his disclosure reports, he will,
Uithoven said.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Gibbons, a Republican,
opened doors in Washington for Trepp's eTreppid Technologies, a company
with millions of dollars in classified federal software contracts from the
Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Central Intelligence
Agency.

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Full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15912601.htm