Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Defense contractor Brent R. Wilkes is on trial in U.S. District Court in San Diego, charged with bribing former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), who is in prison after pleading guilty to corruption charges.

Wilkes's attorney, Mark J. Geragos, has partly based his defense on showing that the wining and dining of members of Congress by lobbyists has been standard practice. Last week, Clifford Horsfall, a waiter at the Capital Grille for the past 13 years, testified in the case.

An excerpt of his questioning by Geragos:

Q You would see when Congressman Cunningham came in that usually the lobbyist . . . would end up paying the bill?

A Correct.

And that was clearly the norm with other congressmen as well, correct?

Correct.

In fact, can you remember more than one occasion where the congressman is picking up the tab when he goes to dinner at the Capital Grille with a lobbyist?

No.

In 13 years you don't remember one time when the congressman picked up the tab when he goes to dinner with lobbyists?

No.

That would be kind of the way Washington works, based on your experience?

Our clientele at the restaurant, yes.