Paul Kiel mentioned earlier today that March 23rd is the day. That's when the US government will auction off the ill-begotten gains of disgraced Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA). The auction is run by IRS-Criminal Investigation, actually subcontracted to a company called EG&G. But I digress.

The loot -- mainly antiques and rugs and assorted other uncharacteristically dainty items Duke bagged during his congressional crime-spree -- might fairly be titled the fruit of the Republican Revolution.

In any case, I think we're going to send someone out to cover this.

The auction is on the 23rd in Rancho Dominguez, California, which actually appears to be in Compton, from what I can tell. But on the two days previous you can actually go inspect the merchandise at the EG&G Technical Services warehouse, located at 2332 E. Pacifica Place, Rancho Dominguez, CA. It's open to the public and so presumably to one of our muckrakers too.

For instance, we'd like to get a closer look at this rug Duke got in exchange for getting the Pentagon to buy junk.

ORIENTAL RUG, WOOL, MARKED “BIDJAR” - IRAN BUT MAY BE “MAHEI” DESIGN, DARK BLUE BORDER W/CONCENTRIC DIAMONDS IN CENTER; MULTI-COLORED (RED, BLUE, IVORY), 9’9" X 12’10", 1 EA

I'm not sure what a Bidjar is or a Mahei, though the later sounds like something I'd eat with rice and seawweed. In any case, I'd be interested to know.

This sounds fascinating too ...

COMMODE/CHEST OF DRAWERS, W/BLACK MARBLE TOP, VENEERED, FOUR DRAWERS, KEY ESCUTCHEONS CENTERED ON DRAWERS, NO PULLS, BOTH SIDE PANELS SPLIT, 1 EA

I always thought a commode was a toilet. But apparently when you ascend further into the cultural stratosphere it's actually a chest of drawers.

We'll be bringing you more on this.