Page 2 of 2   <      

Candidates in Chairman's Race Bring Up Abramoff's Legacy of Fraud

Wheeler, a former California secretary of natural resources under Gov. Pete Wilson, verified Baise's contention that honorary board members had little or nothing to do with CREA's inner workings. Wheeler said he doesn't even recall being asked to serve as a board member before seeing his name on the Web site.

"We didn't have anything to do with the governance of the organization," said Wheeler, now a lawyer at Hogan and Hartson.


Democrat incumbent Gerald E. Connolly, left, and Republican challenger Gary H. Baise at an earlier debate in McLean.
Democrat incumbent Gerald E. Connolly, left, and Republican challenger Gary H. Baise at an earlier debate in McLean. (By James M. Thresher -- The Washington Post)
Discussion Policy
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

Baise, a trial lawyer who has represented numerous private- and public-sector clients who have had regulatory issues with the Environmental Protection Agency, also attempted to challenge Connolly's depiction of his legal career as one serving "dirty industry."

He pointed out that SAIC of San Diego, the government contractor for which Connolly works as vice president of community relations, has had its own environmental problems. In 1991, the firm, then known as Science Applications International Corp., pleaded guilty to falsifying test results of samples from Superfund toxic waste sites around the country. The company, which has offices in Tysons Corner, paid $1.3 million in restitution and penalties.

"If we want to talk about . . . dirty industry, I think you should check your own house," Baise said.

Connolly did not join SAIC until September 2002. He said that he has nothing to do with the firm's contracts and is solely involved with raising the company's profile in charitable and community activities.


<       2

More in the Politics Section

[The Presidential Field]

Blog: Va. Politics

Here's a place to help you keep up with the Commonwealth's overcaffeinated political culture.

Election Coverage

Election Coverage

Find out who is on the ballot in the next Virginia election.

Latest Headlines

Latest Headlines

Get the latest reports from Richmond and your county government.

© 2007 The Washington Post Company