Has any DU'er heard news this a.m. on this information?

[Judi Lynn]

My husband told me a short time ago a radio news station in Kansas City ran a story concerning the poker games in Washington, D.C. at the Republican "hospitality suite." Much of what he related is in this article, the ONLY ONE I can find, in late breaking news:

GUESS AMHERST ISN'T THE ONLY TOWN WITH A PROSTITUTE PROBLEM.
Written by Dean Calbreath
Tuesday, 02 May 2006

A source close to the bribery case, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, told the Union-Tribune that Mitchell Wade, who pleaded guilty in February to bribing Cunningham, told federal prosecutors that he periodically helped arrange for a prostitute for the then-congressman.

A limousine would pick up Cunningham and a prostitute and take them to the ADCS hospitality suite, Wade reportedly told investigators. Federal agents are investigating whether other legislators had similar arrangements with Wilkes or Wade, a business associate of Wilkes' who ran his own defense contracting company, MZM Inc.

Wilkes' attorney, Michael Lipman, denies that his client hired prostitutes.

Two of Wilkes' former business associates say they were present on several occasions when Shirlington Limousine & Transportation Service of northern Virginia brought prostitutes to the suite. They say they did not see lawmakers in the suites on those occasions, though both had heard rumors of congressmen bringing women to the rooms.

Shirlington's attorney, Bobby S. Stafford, confirmed in a letter that from the company's founding in 1990 through the early 2000s, Shirlington President Christopher Baker “provided limousine services for Mr. Wilkes for whatever entertainment he had in the Watergate.”
(snip/...)

http://www.amhersttimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1385&Itemid=27

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My husband also said the radio station indicated the limosine service had a 20,000,000 contract, paid from the Department of Homeland Securities, and the driver they have been using is an ex-felon.

I really hope we find out more about this.

[babylonsister]

1. Yes! Here's a few threads from this past weekend:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1055826

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1056308

[Judi Lynn]

6. Thank you!

Going to read these posts and the Washington Post link right away. Really appreciate it.

[babylonsister]

8. My pleasure! You're always informing me, I'm happy to return

the favor!:hug:

[Sydnie]

2. From WSJ

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

[DUHandle]

3. Your second to last sentence interests me most n/t

[Judi Lynn]

7. Here's the reference from the Washington Post. Make that $21,000,000!

Prostitution Alleged In Cunningham Case
Investigators Focus on Limo Company

By Jo Becker and Charles R. Babcock
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, April 29, 2006; A01

~snip~
Baker has a criminal record and has experienced financial difficulties, public records show. Last fall, his company was awarded a $21 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security to provide transportation, including limo service for senior officials. Baker and his lawyer declined to comment yesterday.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR2006042802345_pf.html

This was linked in kpete's thread babylonsister provided:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1056308

[DUHandle]

9. Thanks, following the money is good way to look at

What they are doing.

I don’t care about politicians and prostitutes, that’s been going on forever and I’ll bet that these are not the first Federal bucks that went for whoopee.

What bugs the hell out of me is why DHS is hiring a limo service.

[Judi Lynn]

10. You bet. That's really puzzling. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

4. Here's a story from the San Diego Union-Tribune, which contains

the info. from the story above:

THE CUNNINGHAM SCANDAL
Co-conspirator's possible links to prostitutes eyed

By Dean Calbreath
STAFF WRITER

April 28, 2006

Federal prosecutors are reviewing records of two Washington, D.C., hotels where Poway defense contractor Brent Wilkes rented suites as part of their investigation into whether prostitutes were involved as he tried to curry favor with lawmakers and CIA officials.

Wilkes, whom federal prosecutors have identified as a co-conspirator in the bribery case of former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, rented hospitality suites in the capital on behalf of his flagship company, ADCS Inc.

As The San Diego Union-Tribune reported in December, the suites – first at the Watergate Hotel and then at the Westin Grand Hotel – had several bedrooms where lawmakers and other guests could relax.

Federal investigators are trying to determine whether Cunningham and other legislators brought prostitutes to the hotels or prostitutes were provided for them there, according to a report in yesterday's Wall Street Journal and confirmed by the Union-Tribune.
(snip/...)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060428/news_1n28duke.html

[hootinholler]

14. Interesting wording...

"Federal investigators are trying to determine whether Cunningham and other legislators brought prostitutes to the hotels or prostitutes were provided for them there"

Which implies they were screwing hookers the question being did they bring their own or were they a 'gift'.

-Hoot

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Don't hookers have enough self-respect not to **** a RWinger?

Sheesh. Talk about low moral standards. 8>)

[mom cat]

11. I heard this too, I think on Truth and Justice Radio ... a four hour

program that runs every Sunday morning on WZBC in Newton MA from 6-10 AM. I think that it streams live. It is a wonderful production. Check it out!

[slipslidingaway]

12. Executive Office of the President contracts to MZM???

from June 2005 story

snip>>

"Government procurement records show that MZM, which Wade started in 1993, did not report any revenue from prime contract awards until 2003. Most of its revenue has come from the agreement the Pentagon just cut off. But over the past three years it was also awarded several contracts, worth more than $600,000, by the Executive Office of the President. They include a $140,000 deal for office furniture in 2002 and several for unspecified "intelligence services."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/27/AR2005062701856.html

[Jack Rabbit]

13. It's been all over the place, Judi

We are going to find out more about it.

[cal04]

15. check this out.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000505.php

[Judi Lynn]

16. Thank you for the links and comments on this thread. I'm so glad I asked.

Today was the very first day I ever heard a peep on this, or was, apparently, like George H. W. _Bush, "out of the loop!"