KBCI 2 Boise, Idaho | Idaho Senator Accepted Contributions From Defense Contractor Accused of Bribery

January 4, 2006

By Sarah Dallof

BOISE -
An Idaho senator may now have to defend campaign contributions he accepted from defense contractor Brent Wilkes.

Wilkes allegedly bribed California Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham with money and gifts in exchange for government work contracts.

Wilkes made contributions to hundreds of lawmakers including Idaho Senator Larry Craig.

During his 2000 campaign, Craig received $1,000 dollars from Wilkes and $5,000 from the military contracting company ADCS, which Wilkes founded. In addition, Craig accepted a $1,000 donation from Wilkes' business partner, who also allegedly bribed Cunningham, as well as another $1,000 from an ADCS employee.

Wilkes and ADCS each donated $5,000 to Alliance for the West, a political action committee associated with Senator Craig.

All in all, $18,000 was given.

However the issue isn't if the senator accepted the contributions, it's whether expectations came along with the cash.

A spokesperson for Senator Craig tells Local 2 News no one is prepared to comment on any contributions from Wilkes or any company or person associated with him.

Senator Craig also accepted money from Jack Abramoff who pleaded guilty Tuesday to providing campaign contributions, trips and other items to politicians in exchange for "certain official acts."

The spokesman says Senator Craig's office is still trying to verify if the senator received contributions from Jack Abramoff. If he did, the spokesman says, they they'll strongly consider donating that money to Idaho charities.


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