That’s interesting.
This blog points out that MZM, Inc. defense-contractor-cum-real-estate-agency throws a decent amount of money around. And not just to Randy “Duke” Cunningham. A decent amount of it goes to Rep. Virgil Goode (R) of Virginia.
In fact, when you look at this chart at OpenSecrets, you’ll see that the employees of MZM, Inc. gave Goode $48,551 in the last election cycle.
That’s a helluva lot of money for one member of Congress from one small company. The next runner-up was McDermott International. And they gave only about a quarter of that amount ($12,750). When I first found this out I figured that Goode must also be on Defense Appropriations, like the Duke.
But it turns out he’s not. He’s on the Ag subcommittee, which makes sense for his district, but wouldn’t seem to have much appeal to a defense contractor. But he’s also on the Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice and Commerce. And that must be what makes him such a favored fellow.
As long-time readers know, Goode’s a good guy on Social Security. But MZM, Inc. sounds like an operation that plays fast and loose. And it really sounds like Virgil Goode’s their friend.
(ed.note: We hear some employees from MZM, Inc. are already starting to talk. So we may well know a lot more about this story quite soon. And one other thing, does prima facie evidence of a bribe in exchange for favorable treatment on contracting assignments get you a day before the Ethics Committee? Just asking.)
