Name that party--Maryland political groceries

Washington Post:

Maryland Sen. Ulysses Currie was paid more than $207,000 over five years by a grocery store chain, income he did not reveal on state financial disclosure forms, according to a court document unsealed by a federal judge yesterday.

The compensation figures are the first indication of the extent of the retired educator's financial relationship with Shoppers Food and Pharmacy and its parent company, Supervalu. Lanham-based Shoppers has confirmed that Currie (D-Prince George's) worked as a consultant for the company.

The figures are included on an affidavit FBI agents used to justify a search of Currie's home in May and were unsealed by a judge at the request of The Washington Post and other news organizations.

The FBI is investigating whether Currie engaged in mail or wire fraud, using his office to take legislative action or lobby state agencies to benefit the company. Dale P. Kelberman, Currie's attorney, did not return a call late yesterday.

...

The document shows Currie was first paid by the company in February 2003 and received $30,000 from it that year. His compensation rose to more than $54,000 annually by 2007.

Currie, 70, makes $43,500 annually as a member of the General Assembly.

FBI special agent Steven Quisenberry, who specializes in public corruption cases, indicated in the affidavit that Currie has generally received monthly payments from the company. In December 2004, however, he received seven checks, each for more than $3,400. He did not receive another check until July 2005, suggesting, Quisenberry wrote, that Currie might have arranged to receive an advance.

...

This is not surprising to me. The parties appear to be living down to Maryland's reputation as a corrupt state. It is right up there with New Jersey and Louisiana when it comes to abusing the free market when it comes to government services. The Post did slip in the "D" designation in the second paragraph. It would have been better if they had identified him as a Democrat in the lead, but it might be such a given in Maryland that it is not news.

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