FRANCINE BUSBY, DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS, CONDEMNS REPRESENTATIVE BILBRAY'S TIES WITH SPECIAL INTEREST ASSOCIATION: CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION
"Brian Bilbray's ethics violations have reached an all-time low. The facts recently brought to light about the true nature of his Congressional Cigar Association prove once and for all that Congressman Bilbray's priorities lay with the special interest groups that fund his campaign and not in serving the needs of the constituency he purportedly serves.
"Despite Bilbray's comments, this is NOT about Cigars. Lobbyists are paying thousands of dollars to host events for direct access to staffers in order to influence members of Congress.
"In addition to being a blatant violation of congressional ethics, the actions of Bilbray and the cigar association were likely against the law. This is a continuation of politics as usual for Republican representatives from this district, disturbingly similar to the ethical failings of Bilbray's immediate predecessor, Duke Cunningham.
"I believe I speak for all concerned citizens of the 50th district as I call for a comprehensive investigation into Bilbray's conduct and his relationship with the Congressional Cigar Association.