Goode connected to Abramoff scandal.

There have been two brewing scandals that I’ve followed here for a bit.

The first, which I started writing about last summer, is Rep. Virgil Goode’s dubious distinction of being the #1 recipient of disgraced contractor MZM, Inc’s fiscal largesse. He accepted over $100,000 from them in the past few years. The company went down in flames in the past few months after it was discovered that they were bribing the #2 recipient of their cash. The investigation is ongoing, and it strikes me as unlikely that Goode will emerge unscathed.

The second, which I just started writing about last month, is AG candidate Bob McDonnell’s ties to scandal-plagued Jack Abramoff. McDonnell allegedly helped to establish a Virginia Beach-based group that existed for the sole purpose of laundering money. Other group operatives include McDonnell’s two top campaign strategists, his former campaign manager, and his current campaign manager’s husband.

Against all odds, these two scandals seem to be merging into a single super-scandal.

Several days ago, the Democratic National Committee perked up and took notice of Rep. Virgil Goode, a man who been way off of the radar screen of, well, anybody for years now. They issued a press release about him and Rep. Eric Cantor. Here is the press release:

Reps. Cantor and Goode Wrapped Up in Abramoff Pay-To-Play Scandal, Says DNC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 — The Associated Press reported yesterday on the startling number of Republicans in Congress, including Virginia Representatives Eric Cantor and Virgil Goode, who are embroiled in one of the worst pay-to-play scandals to ever rock the nation’s capital. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigating the dealings of scandal-plagued Republican super lobbyist Jack Abramoff has learned that Cantor and Goode are among the more than 30 Congressional Republicans who signed letters on behalf of Abramoff clients just days after Abramoff gave them money or hosted fundraisers for them.

Democratic National Committee Spokesperson Amaya Smith today issued the following statement:

“It is deeply troubling that Representatives Cantor and Goode have dragged Virginia into the same culture of corruption that Congressional Republicans brought to Washington. By engaging in one of the worst pay-to-play scandals in decades, Reps. Cantor and Goode turned their backs on the values and priorities of the people of Virginia.

“Virginians deserve better. That is why Democrats are committed to promoting honesty and ethics in government. The American people deserve a government as good as them, and Virginians deserve leaders who represent their values and interests in Washington. Since, Representatives Cantor and Goode clearly are not interested in providing that leadership, Democrats will.”

“Rep. Eric Cantor, R-VA., the House Chief Deputy whip, along with other members of the House Republican leadership, signed a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton on June 10, 2003, that helped lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s clients. The lawmaker received about $31,500 from Abramoff, his lobbying partners and tribal clients between 2001 and 2004, including roughly $4,500 in the period around which the letter was sent. Rep. Cantor also used Abramoff’s restaurant, Signatures, for a fund-raiser or other event, records show.” (Associated Press, 11/17/05)

Rep. Virgil Goode Jr., R-Va., along with more than two dozen other members of Congress, signed a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton on Feb 27., 2002, that helped lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s clients. The lawmaker received about $1,000 from Abramoff, his lobbying partners and tribal clients between 2001 and 2004, all of which was sent in the period around which the letter was sent. (Associated Press, 11/17/05)

Once again, we see Rep. Goode accepting contributions with remarkably coincidental timing. This is, however, the first time that we’ve seen the DNC paying any attention to Goode. Once they start looking, they’re not going to much like what they see. If I were Goode, I’d be concerned.

Rep. Goode may yet go down in history as having the very worst luck of any congressman in history. But I doubt it.