ABSTRACT
News stories about interest groups and lobbying in the past few years have focused on a widening network of scandals. In November of 2005, Randy Cunningham, a Republican Congressman representing San Diego, pled guilty to accepting bribes from lobbyists. Among the gifts he accepted were a Rolls-Royce, a yacht, a $7,200 Louis-Philippe commode, three antique nightstands, a leaded-glass cabinet, a washstand, a buffet, and four armoires. Lobbyists also paid more than $17,000 to repair the Rolls-Royce and provided a number of free trips on company jets. In exchange, Cunningham worked to steer lucrative Defense Department contracts to the clients of his benefactors. Cunningham promised to cooperate in the prosecution of others.
