Watchdog asks Justice to probe Harris deal (Oh, Cruella!)

[warrens]

WASHINGTON — The nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause filed a complaint with the Justice Department Monday alleging that Rep. Katherine Harris violated federal law by seeking a $10 million appropriation in exchange for an offer of fund-raising support from a defense contractor.

The complaint alleges that Harris, a Republican from Longboat Key who is running for the U.S. Senate, sought the appropriation for a counterintelligence facility in her congressional district after having dinner early last year with Mitchell Wade, an owner and chief executive of MZM Inc., a defense contractor who later pleaded guilty to bribing former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif.


During that dinner, which reportedly cost $2,800 at Citronelle Restaurant in Washington, Wade offered to help raise money for Harris' political campaign, the complaint said.

"It appears that Representative Harris crossed the line from the usual back-scratching that goes on between lobbyists and members of Congress, to agreeing to a quid pro quo from Wade — a fund-raiser in exchange for his $10 million earmark," Common Cause President Chellie Pingree said in a news release. "We would like the Justice Department to investigate."

SNIP

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/nation/epaper/2006/05/02/a9a_harris_0502.html

[MADem]

1. Probably the GOP ratted her out!!

She needs to stay IN the race until May 12, that way they can't field another candidate....