Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Republican Corruption Watch - August 15

Federal agents raided another company with close ties to Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham today. The raid was carried out by a joint task force of FBI, IRS and the Defense Department's Criminal Investigative Services.

Agents arrived at the main offices of ADCS Incorporated in the San Diego suburb of Poway in the morning and remained at the company's facility into the late afternoon. At the same time another team of agents served a search warrant at the home of Brent Wilkes the owner of the company.

The North County Times has the story.

"ADCS specializes in data capture and conversion and information management. The firm received nearly $76 million in defense contracts between 2000 and 2004. The company also is a frequent contributor to Cunningham's re-election campaign account, having given the 50th District congressman $21,000 since 1997."

Just last week we reported on questions that had arisen regarding Congressman Cunningham's close relationship with ADCS and his extensive use of a corporate jet belonging to a subsidiary of ADCS, Group W Transportation. The San Diego Union Tribune remarked on the nearly on-call availability of the Group W jet to Republican member of Congress.

"Yet Group W, owned by Poway defense contractor Brent Wilkes, has provided personal air transportation for some high-profile passengers – including House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who has flown on the jet to such locations as Idaho for a hunting trip and Hawaii for a golf tournament."

Big contributions. Private jet transportation to play golf and hunt. All in exchange for preferential treatment of a defense contractor. At this point it is hard to figure out if there is anything that Cunningham wasn't selling to the highest bidder.

Just this morning we reported on the efforts of a group called Resign Randy which is working to force Cunningham to leave office now. Today's events give their demand resonance.