“People who have more money should be free to buy more cars, more homes, more vacations, and more gizmos than the rest of us. They should not be able to buy more democracy." -Bill Moyers  
 
   
 
 

For Immediate Release: December 7, 2006
Contact: Ned Wigglesworth


TheRestofUs.org Calls on Governor to Fire Brent Wilkes From Race Track Commission; Give Tainted Contributions to Veterans Organization

In a letter sent to the governor today, campaign watchdog TheRestofUs.org called on Governor Schwarzenegger to fire Brent Wilkes from the Del Mar Race Track Board and the State Race Track Licensing Commission and to give the $77,400 in donations the governor and his political committees have received from Mr. Wilkes, his wife, and their companies to a veterans organization.

"We call on Governor Schwarzenegger to fire Mr. Wilkes from the two boards to which he appointed Wilkes and to return any donations he has received from Mr. Wilkes, his wife, or any of his companies," said Derek Cressman, director of TheRestofUs.org.

A lawyer for Brent Wilkes has indicated that Wilkes is the unnamed co-conspirator #1 in the government's indictment against resigned-in-disgrace former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. According to Cunningham's plea agreement, he received more than $600,000 in cash and gifts from Wilkes in return for Cunningham's assistance in procuring defense contracts for Wilkes and his companies.

Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Brent Wilkes to the Del Mar Race Track Board in April 2004 and to the State Race Track Licensing Commission in March 2005. All told, Brent and Regina Wilkes and their company ADCS have contributed $77,400 to Governor Schwarzenegger's political committees, including his 2003 and 2006 candidate committees and the governor's political slush fund, the California Recovery Team.

"Brent Wilkes bought himself a congressman," said Ned Wigglesworth, analyst for TheRestofUs.org, "By returning this money and firing Mr. Wilkes from his two appointments, Governor Schwarzenegger can reassure the people of California that Wilkes does not also have a governor in his pocket."

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TheRestofUs.org is a nonprofit campaign watchdog working to make American democracy work for its citizens, not just wealthy interests. TheRestofUs.org is the lead reform group on an upcoming amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting Vermont's spending limits, and supports meaningful campaign finance and redistricting reform around the country.