Wilkes Indictment: Enter The HookersOK, you knew they’d make an appearance.
Among the staggering laundry list of bribes of ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) listed in the second indictment issued today, there’s one that’s bound to get a lot of ink.
The indictment alleges that, during a trip to Hawaii, Wilkes paid for a prostitute for Cunningham. I’ll just excerpt the indictment here, since it displays the prosecutors’ fetish for detail (no bribe goes undescribed):
On or about August 15, 2003, at approximately 6:30 p.m., [Wilkes] provided [Cunningham] and assorted other guests with a dinner served on a private lawn outside the Hapuna Suite [approximately $6,600 per night at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Island of Hawaii]; which consisted of Seafood Gyozas of Kona Lobster, shrimp, scallops, seared hawaiian snapper, “Manoa” lettuce leaves, and an open bar featuring fine wines;
On or about August 15, 2003, at approximately 11 p.m., Prostitutes “A” and “B” and their “driver” arrived at the Hapuna Suite. Persuant to [Wilkes’] instructions, an ADCS [Wilkes’ company] employee escorted the prostitutes into the Suite and paid the driver $600 in cash;
On or about August 15, 2003, after approximately 15 minutes in the suite, [Wilkes] and [Cunningham] escorted Prostitutes “A” and “B” upstairs to separate rooms. At approximately midnight, Wilkes tipped Prostitute “A” $500 for the services;
…and the next day, after a catered breakfast, a cocktail party, a lavish dinner…
On or about August 16, 2003, at approximately 11:00 p.m., [Wilkes] arranged to have Prostitute “A” and Prostitute “C” available for himself and [Cunningham]. Pursuant to Cunningham’s request, Wilkes arranged for the Congressman to get a different prostitute for the second evening;
On or about August 16, 2003, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Prostitutes “A” and “C” and their “driver” arrived at the Hapuna Suite. Persuant to [Wilkes’] instructions, his employee paid the driver $600 in cash and escorted Prostitute “C” (who had not previously been to the suite) to [Cunningham’s] room. At apprroximately midnight, Wilkes again tipped Prostitute “A” $500 for the services;
Although Shirlington Limousine does make an appearance in the indictment, it’s not connected to prostitution — rather, it’s just mentioned that Wilkes paid Shirlington to ferry Cunningham around Washington, DC.
Update: CREW has uploaded a copy of the indictment here (pdf).
