The "black budget" and Gov. Gibbons

Congress maintains a "black budget" comprising funds for super-duper top secret military and intelligence missions. Not surprisingly, during the glorious reign of the Republican-led Congress, it was an open till for hand-outs to favored military contractors. Looks like America's dumbest governor, Jim Gibbons, may have gotten caught with his hand in said till. From the Wall Street Journal [no link, I only get the wood pulp edition] :

Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons accepted unreported gifts or payments from a company that was awarded secret military contracts when Mr. Gibbons served in Congress.

[...]

New evidence has emerged that includes emails to Mr. Trepp -- the majority owner of eTreppid Technologies LLC and the former chief trader for convicted junk-bond dealer Michael Milken -- discussing a payment or gift to then Rep. Gibbons. They also show Mr. Gibbons repeatedly using his congressional office to help the firm seek classified military and civilian contracts.

The emails show that since at least 2003, Mr. Trepp maintained close ties to Mr. Gibbons, who helped eTreppid get no-bid software contracts from the Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and Central Intelligence Agency...

Messrs. Trepp and Gibbons have denied any wrongdoing, and no chargeshave been filed; indeed, such investigations sometimes end without official action.

'Hit the Ground Running'

In a Sept. 25, 2003, emial to Mr. Trepp after Mr. Gibbons had been particularly helpful on a recent contract, eTreppid executive Len Glogauer reports that "Jim really hit the ground running on that one." He adds, "we need to take care of him like we discussed." It isn't clear what Mr. Glogauer meant, and he declined to comment.

A second email, cited in court filings by Mr. Trepp's former partner, was more explicit. On March 22, 2005, days before Mr. Trepp and his wife embarked on the Caribbean cruise with the congressman and his family, Jalé Trepp sent a reminder to her husband. "Please don't forget to bring the money you promised to Jim and Dawn," referring to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons.

Minutes later, Mr. Trepp responds, "Don't you ever send this kind of message to me! Erase this message from your computer right now!" Mr. Gibbons failed to disclose the cruise and travel on Mr. Trepp's leased private jet, as required by House ethics rules.

This should be fun to watch.