This is from The Washington Post:
Federal authorities are investigating allegations that a California defense contractor arranged for a Washington area limousine company to provide prostitutes to convicted former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) and possibly other lawmakers, sources familiar with the probe said yesterday.
In recent weeks, investigators have focused on possible dealings between Christopher D. Baker, president of Shirlington Limousine and Transportation Inc., and Brent R. Wilkes, a San Diego businessman who is under investigation for bribing Cunningham in return for millions of dollars in federal contracts, said one source, who requested anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
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.
The Cunningham investigation's latest twist came after Mitchell J. Wade, a defense contractor who has admitted bribing the former congressman, told prosecutors that Wilkes had an arrangement with Shirlington Limousine, which in turn had an arrangement with at least one escort service, one source said. Wade said limos would pick up Cunningham and a prostitute and bring them to suites Wilkes maintained at the Watergate Hotel and the Westin Grand in Washington, the source said.
Okay. So not only were Wilkes and Baker not only bribing Cunningham for millions of dollars worth of defense contracts, but Baker was able to get a $21 million Homeland Security contract to provide transportation for Cunningham and possibly other government officials, while also providing them with "escort" services to the Watergate and Westin Grand hotels for some steamy playtime. First I'll have to say I find it ironic that Wilkes was using the Watergate Hotel for their private parties with Cunningham and his friends, considering that the Watergate Hotel was the site for that first great Republican scandal that caused the downfall of Richard Nixon's presidency.
But it gets better. Continuing on:
The San Diego Union-Tribune yesterday cited a letter from Baker's lawyer, Bobby Stafford, saying that Baker "provided limousine services for Mr. Wilkes for whatever entertainment he had in the Watergate" from the company's founding in 1990 through the early 2000s. The letter also stated that Baker was "never in attendance in any party where any women were being used for prostitution purposes." Reached by telephone yesterday, Stafford would not comment on the letter.
Before starting Shirlington Limousine, public records show, Baker compiled a lengthy criminal record. Between 1979 and 1989, he was convicted on several misdemeanor charges, including drug possession and attempted petty larceny, as well as two felony charges for attempted robbery and car theft, according to D.C. Superior Court records.
It appears that this little arrangement to provide entertainment with the limo service had started in 1990--well before the Republicans were demanding Clinton's impeachment for his affair with Monica. How much do you want to bet that Cunningham was using both the limo service and the escort service for his pleasures? How many other Republican congressmen did Cunningham invite to these parties? And you can bet that they were great parties--seems that Baker could find the great sex and drugs, considering his rap sheet. Throw in a little rock and roll, and you've got yourself a party!
This scandal is going to be picked up faster than Olivia Newton-John's cooing of, "Let's get physical" moved up the pop charts. Iraqi WMDs, intelligence failures, and even Valerie Plame are all complicated scandals with so many twists, turns, and blind alleys. It is difficult enough for those individuals who track these complicated scandals on a regular basis to fully comprehend the greater impact that these scandals have on our country, without getting lost in their convoluted details. But a sex scandal can be easily understood by Americans. And prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. Baker and Wilkes wanted some legislative favors to expand their businesses and their fortunes. They were able to bribe Duke Cunningham with both money and sex for lucrative defense contracts to be awarded their way. Cunningham loved the money and sex, that he invited his own congressional friends into the racket--what fifty or sixty-something congressman wouldn't enjoy a private blow-job from a twenty-something "escort?" Everyone's getting a little something here--Wilkes and Baker get rich off their fat contracts, Cunningham and his Republican friends get wet, and the American taxpayers get screwed.
More to come.
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