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"Duke" Limo Letter Disappears from Files

June 15, 2006 6:32 PM

Cunningham_doc_nrConvicted former Congressman Randall "Duke" Cunningham urged the Department of Homeland Security to give a $21.1 million contract to a controversial Washington limousine company, but the letter has mysteriously disappeared from DHS files, members of Congress were told Thursday.

The Shirlington Limousine Company is owned by a convicted felon and is under investigation for providing prostitutes at parties attended by Congressman Cunningham and defense lobbyists.

Congressman Peter King, R-NY, said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff knew of Cunningham's role in recommending the limousine company but never told Congress.

"It's disgraceful that Secretary Chertoff wouldn't tell us he knew Cunningham's role and the owner's criminal record," King said at the hearing. "This is one reason Secretary Chertoff and DHS have a disgraceful record," he said.

DHS officials testified the department, which is responsible for protecting the country from terror attacks, has no way to conduct background checks on companies that bid for contracts.

"Everything at DHS that could go wrong, did go wrong," King said.   

June 15, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (16)

User Comments

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Can we say inside job, and corruption of power.

God have mercy on those souls that are lie and cheat all to achieve wealth.

One lie after the next, only leds to another and more.

God Bless.

Posted by: Victoria Rum | Jun 16, 2006 7:48:27 AM

Ah yes. The blessed state of our democracy.

Posted by: wick | Jun 16, 2006 8:38:43 AM

My God. This country is run by the worst of mankind. I fear we've reached a tipping point in America. Revolution 2.0 is bubbling.

Posted by: matt | Jun 16, 2006 9:58:40 AM

No way to do a back ground check?? Excuse me?? Every government bid form I have ever seen specifically asks about previous arrests and convictions. And there is always data bases with that information. What a flimsy excuse! Typical of this administration.

Posted by: okieatty | Jun 16, 2006 10:40:58 AM

6-16-06

The DHS was founded to protect America, providing the American People safety while traveling, and safety by protecting our Borders from intruders who want to cause harm.
The DHS fourders ERRED big time when they allowed the same villains, and know nothing- do nothing high managers in the FAA to head Departments in the DHS, as in the TSA.
Obviously these people have No clues about Security and Law Enforcement and will never do the job.
They have been stealing for so long they continue at will and will be protected by those who placed them in office.

Posted by: Luz | Jun 16, 2006 10:51:15 AM


Just doing what good republicans do.
Lie, cheat and steal.

Posted by: Bill | Jun 16, 2006 11:39:13 AM

What a sad commentary on the state of our nation....and the agency mandated to protect us. I am appalled at the lack of morals shown by our leaders. Shame on them!

Posted by: Gail | Jun 16, 2006 12:06:25 PM

DHS has no way to do background checks? Maybe someone should tell them about these new fangled things call computers and the futuristic world of the Internet.

Posted by: Mike | Jun 16, 2006 12:35:20 PM

Future lobbyist at Dewey, Cheatham and Howe...

Posted by: Get_Real | Jun 16, 2006 12:41:18 PM

This is the way the GOP and current administration would like to say, "Thank you for voting America!"

Posted by: Rick | Jun 16, 2006 1:05:38 PM

Onward Christian Soldiers...Let us vote Republican...We will overcome all sins of liberal ones...Greed will be our middle name...Damn our childrens future is our game...Fight Fight Fight with all our might...Let freedom be our shame...Call girls are our right we say...Christian crusaders here we go...Burning bridges so the cops have to let us go...please sing this to the tune of your favorite song.

Posted by: frodaddy | Jun 16, 2006 5:02:45 PM

The document was secreetly subpoena by NSA, (along with many of Shirlington Limousine's service records), after the Director of National Intelligence determined that disclosure would improperly reveal entertainment sources and methods.

Although the document would have been scanned into a PDF file on reciept at DHS, and copies likely exists on a DHS Server Proxy Cache, and several DHS PC recycle bins.

Posted by: Mango | Jun 16, 2006 8:03:00 PM

Oh yes, the republican way to do business. Let's face it folks, the last real republican died with Barry Goldwater. These bums would steal the coins off a deadman's eyes. There hasn't been an honest man in Washington since President Carter left town.

Posted by: DW | Jun 18, 2006 5:22:28 AM

As Ronald Reagan once said "Well there you go again", what in the hell do the Republicans think they are doing? Bible in one hand and in our pockets with the other. This is not just a GOP problem it is a problem with our so called democracy. The need for greed will destroy this country.

Posted by: Amazed | Jun 18, 2006 6:30:45 AM

Things being what they are, someone please remind me, is this the "democracy" that we're trying to bring to the Iraqi people at the cost of life itself?
Just another opportunity for elected officials to collect more and more for themselves while the average person on the streets has to struggle to put bread on their tables?
Is this the democracy and freedom we want to kill and die for to bring to Iraq?
Because it doesn't look too very different from what Saddam was doing.

Posted by: zach | Jun 18, 2006 5:17:38 PM

Every great society has fallen to ruin. If we, true americans, care about our country, maybe it's time for another revolution. How huch longer can we allow our govt to screw "We the people..."

Posted by: debi | Jun 22, 2006 7:24:54 PM

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