Heidi DeJong Barsuglia

"Hot Mike" Duvall Won't Face Charges In Sex Boasting Flap

Zachary Roth | November 2, 2009, 6:36PM

Fmr. State Rep. Michael Duvall (R-CA)

Hot Mike Duvall -- who stepped down as a state lawmaker after his raucous sexual braggadocio was picked up by a live microphone -- is getting off.

The California Republican won't face federal charges in connection to the incident, the local U.S. attorney's office announced today.

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Bill Allen

Docs: Feds Pressed Police To End Child-Sex Probe Of Bill Allen

Zachary Roth | October 28, 2009, 2:47PM

Bill Allen, former owner of VECO

Hat tip Alaska Dispatch...

Did U.S. prosecutors pressure police to end a child-sex-crimes investigation in order not to endanger the federal probe of corruption in Alaska politics, then withhold evidence about the episode? That's what court documents filed on behalf of a former state lawmaker convicted in the investigation are charging.

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John Ensign

Criminal Probe Of Ensign Seen As Likely

Zachary Roth | October 14, 2009, 1:40PM

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)

Could the worst be still to come for John Ensign?

An expert consensus may be forming that the Justice Department will likely launch a criminal investigation into the philandering Nevada senator and his relationship with Doug and Cynthia Hampton.

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John Ensign

Ensign: I Followed Ethics Laws When I Helped Clients Of Mistress's Husband

Zachary Roth | October 6, 2009, 3:18PM

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)

The John Ensign story is back on the front-burner, thanks to last week's New York Times report that the philandering Nevada senator actively helped Doug Hampton, the husband of his former mistress, get set up as a lobbyist, then acted to benefit Hampton's new clients.

Today brought several new developments:

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Michael Duvall

California AG Won't Probe Duvall's Sex Bragging

Zachary Roth | October 6, 2009, 9:51AM

Fmr. State Rep. Michael Duvall (R-CA)

Finally, some good news for California sex braggart "Hot Mike" Duvall...

Attorney General Jerry Brown says he won't investigate Duvall's claim, captured on a hot mike, to be having an affair with a woman identified as a lobbyist for an energy company. Until he resigned in the wake of the scandal, Duvall, a Republican, had been vice chair of the state legislative committee that oversees energy issues.

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John Ensign

Ensign: I'll Cooperate With Ethics Probe Into Help For Mistress's Husband

Zachary Roth | October 5, 2009, 11:18AM

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)

Disgraced Nevada senator John Ensign won't fight the ethics investigation into his dealings with a former staffer, in the aftermath of an affair between Ensign and the staffer's wife.

"Sen. Ensign will cooperate with any official inquiry," a spokeswoman for the senator told TPMmuckraker via email.

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Michael Duvall

FBI Probing "Hot Mike" Duvall's Sex Boasting

Zachary Roth | October 5, 2009, 9:59AM

Fmr. State Rep. Michael Duvall (R-CA)

"Hot Mike" Duvall's lascivious braggadocio wasn't just of interest to millions of blog readers. It also attracted the attention of the Feds.

The FBI is investigating the former California state lawmaker's now-legendary claim that he was having an affair with a woman later identified as a lobbyist for an energy company. "We did make contact with the two aides," a bureau spokesman confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.

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John Ensign

Flouting Lobbying Ban, Ensign Helped Hampton Clients: Report

Zachary Roth | October 1, 2009, 6:27PM

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)

We knew there was another shoe waiting to drop in the story of Nevada GOP senator John Ensign's affair with a top aide's wife.

And now it's dropped. A lengthy investigation by the New York Times reveals that Ensign was far more involved than previously known in trying to get a job for Doug Hampton -- his mistress's husband -- after the affair had been discovered. And that Ensign then used his influence in government to try to do favors for Doug Hampton's new employers -- apparently in violation of lobbying rules.

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John Guandolo

Report: Therapist Of Philandering FBI Agent Advised Him To Draw Up List Of Sexual Conquests

Justin Elliott | September 24, 2009, 10:27AM

John Guandolo

We told you yesterday about the FBI agent who resigned after superiors found his list of sexual conquests, including a key witness in the corruption probe of Congressman William Jefferson, and who now appears to be hyping the threat of Islamic terrorism professionally.

But what left us scratching our heads, and what a court filing didn't address, is why the exactly the agent, John Guandolo, would write and then keep a document listing affairs with female FBI agents and a witness in a high-profile corruption case.

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John Guandolo

The Strange Case Of The Philandering, Muslim-Threat-Hyping FBI Agent

Justin Elliott | September 23, 2009, 2:01PM

John Guandolo

An FBI agent who worked on the corruption case of former Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson resigned after superiors found a list he wrote of his sexual conquests with agents and a confidential source, according to court documents.

The same agent, John Guandolo, who is married and who unsuccessfully solicited a $75,000 donation for an anti-terrorism group from a wealthy witness in the Jefferson case with whom he was having an affair, resigned from the FBI and appears to have landed on his feet on the speaking circuit playing up the threat of Islamic terrorism.

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Mark Sanford

Sanford's Sympathy For Wilson: "When Do The Rest Of Us Move On?"

Zachary Roth | September 18, 2009, 10:00AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

Mark Sanford has spoken out on the plight of another embattled South Carolina Republican, Rep. Joe ("You Lie!") Wilson. But you could be forgiven for thinking the beleaguered governor was speaking more personally.

Referring to Wilson, Sanford told South Carolina's CN2 News:

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Mark Sanford

After Tell-All Press Conference, Feds Yanked Sanford's Security Clearance

Zachary Roth | September 17, 2009, 6:04PM

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

Now that's harsh...

Mark Sanford appeared so unhinged during his now-legendary June press conference in which he admitted to an affair with an Argentine woman that the federal government temporarily yanked his security clearance.

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ACORN

Taking Stock Of The ACORN Sting

Zachary Roth | September 16, 2009, 5:28PM

As you probably know by now, last week two conservative activists set off a frenzy in the right-wing media by posting videos in which they posed as a pimp and a prostitute -- complete with outlandish costumes -- and asked employees of ACORN for advice on how to conceal the woman's source of income on their tax forms. ACORN employees in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Brooklyn, fell for the sting, offering advice to the young couple on how to deceive the government.

ACORN fired the employees involved, but that hasn't stopped coverage of the scandal from mushrooming beyond Fox's Glenn Beck and quickly going mainstream.

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Michael Duvall

Duvall's Listener Removed From Ethics Committee As Rumors Spread On Who Tipped Media To Comments

Zachary Roth | September 11, 2009, 12:50PM

It turns out that "Hot Mike" Duvall wasn't the only lawmaker to take a political hit from the exposure of his lewd sexual braggadocio.

Yesterday, the colleague who sat next to him and heard his raunchy tales, fellow Republican Jeff Miller, was removed from the Ethics committee which is probing the scandal. But could Miller, whose Orange County district is close to Duvall's, have been more than just a passive listener in this scandal?

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Mark Sanford

Embattled Sanford Pleads To Tell His "Side Of The Story"

Zachary Roth | September 10, 2009, 4:20PM

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

In another freewheeling performance in front of the cameras this afternoon, Mark Sanford accused state lawmakers of trying to railroad him out of office, and demanded that he be given a chance to present his "side of the story."

"It is not OK to short-circuit an ethics process to try and get the result that you want," said the beleaguered governor, referring to an ethics inquiry that's focused on his decision to leave the state in the lurch when he visited his Argentinean mistress, and his use of state aircraft.

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Lobbyists

Duvall Probe Could Look At Other Lawmaker-Lobbyist Affairs

Zachary Roth | September 10, 2009, 10:39AM

Here are the additional major developments in the "Hot Mike" Duvall story, in which the married California GOP lawmaker and family values crusader resigned yesterday after a hot mic picked up his bragging to a colleague about his sexual encounters with two women -- one of whom is reportedly a lobbyist for an energy company before the committee of which he is vice chair:

• Duvall's resignation will not stop lawmakers from investigating the matter, including whether Duvall traded votes or other influence on utilities issues for sex, according to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, a Democrat. Indeed, one member of the ethics panel that will oversee the investigation told the Los Angeles Times that it could expand to look at other lawmakers' affairs with lobbyists.

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Michael Duvall

Duvall Denies "Reports That He Had An Affair"

Zachary Roth | September 10, 2009, 10:10AM

Mike Duvall now seems to be denying having affairs with the two women he was caught bragging about sleeping with.

In a new statement on his campaign website, Duvall writes:

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Lobbyists

Duvall Lobbyist Denying "Speculative Media Reports"

Zachary Roth | September 9, 2009, 5:41PM

Heidi DeJong Barsuglia

Is Heidi DeJong Barsuglia, the energy lobbyist named in press reports as being the subject of Mike Duvall's filthy sexual boasting, denying that she was involved with the married Republican lawmaker, who resigned this afternoon? [SEE LATE UPDATE BELOW]

Sempra Energy, where Barsuglia works, just released the following statement:

Sempra Energy takes very seriously any reports involving the conduct of our employees. We are investigating this matter and the recent media reports that named one of our employees. The employee has denied the speculative media reports. Our investigation will be conducted to ensure not only that our policies on employee conduct are strictly adhered to, but also that our employee is treated fairly.

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Lobbyists

Progressive Group Wants Duvall "Sex-For-Votes" Probe

Zachary Roth | September 9, 2009, 5:22PM

A progressive California group is calling for an investigation into whether "Hot Mike" Duvall
sold his votes for sex.

"A vice-chairman of the Committee on Utilities and Commerce was literally in bed with Sempra Energy's lobbyist," said Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign in a statement. "Assemblyman Duvall's 'sex for votes' affairs have cheated Californians out of honest government. We call on the attorney general to investigate Mr. Duvall to see if he can be prosecuted for selling his votes."

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Michael Duvall

Duvall Won "Ethics In America" Award

Zachary Roth | September 9, 2009, 4:44PM

Mike Duvall, the California GOP lawmaker and married family values champion who just resigned after a hot mic picked up his graphic bragging to a colleague about two affairs, was in 2000 awarded the "Ethics in America" award by a local university, for his "demonstration of the highest standards of ethical integrity" as a community leader with the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce, according to a 2008 press release on Duvall's state government website (the site has now been dismantled.)

We'll let you make your own joke.

Lobbyists

Duvall Resigns After Sex Bragging

Zachary Roth | September 9, 2009, 4:05PM

That was quick. Mike Duvall has resigned from public office.

In a statement on his campaign website, he wrote:

I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state. I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle to remain in office. Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work.

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Lobbyists

Duvall: I Thought It Was A Private Conversation

Zachary Roth | September 9, 2009, 3:26PM

Mike Duvall, the married California GOP lawmaker and family values champion, has apologized for telling a colleague, in a conversation picked up on a hot mic, about his affairs with two women.

He posted the following statement on his campaign website:

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Sex

GOP Lawmaker's Graphic Sex-Bragging Caught On Tape

Zachary Roth | September 9, 2009, 11:45AM

We've all seen those stories where a careless politician gets a little too candid when speaking into a hot mic. But this one's really in a whole different league.

[RELATED SLIDESHOW: TPM'S HISTORY OF THE SEX-SCANDALOUS FALL OF THE MODERN CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT]

Michael Duvall is a conservative Republican state representative from Orange County, California. While waiting for the start of a legislative hearing in July, the 54-year-old married father of two and family values champion began describing, for the benefit of a colleague seated next to him, his ongoing affairs with two different women. In very graphic detail.

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Mark Sanford

Sanford: I Shouldn't Resign Because "God Can Use Imperfect People To Perform His Will"

Zachary Roth | September 8, 2009, 6:23PM

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

Even as the Speaker of the South Carolina House calls for his resignation, Mark Sanford is remaining defiant.

"God can use imperfect people to perform his will," declared the embattled governor moments ago, explaining in a radio interview that he needs to stick around in office to carry out God's will by working to restructure state government to make it more effective.

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Mark Sanford

SC Lawmaker Accuses Sanford Camp Of Planting Lt. Gov Gay Smear

Zachary Roth | September 3, 2009, 3:02PM

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

The fallout from Mark Sanford's Argentinian romance is getting increasingly nasty.

Yesterday, State Senator Jake Knotts, a Republican but a committed Sanford foe, sent a letter to fellow lawmakers, in which he accused unnamed supporters of the bed-hopping chief exec of planting a rumor that Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer -- who would become governor if Sanford steps down -- is gay.

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Mark Sanford

Sanford: Appalachian Trail Tale Was "A Little White Lie"

Zachary Roth | September 2, 2009, 10:10AM

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

As part of a fresh round of interviews designed to help save his job, South Carolina governor Mark Sanford suggested a higher power wants him to remain in office, and called his now legendary Appalachian Trail deception "a little white lie". And the embattled Palmetto State Romeo reiterated that he planned to complete his term, which runs through 2010, in order to advance conservative principles -- despite a meeting of GOP lawmakers over the weekend, at which not a single person expressed support for him.

"I feel absolutely committed to the cause, to what God wanted me to do with my life," Sanford told the Washington Times. "I have got this blessing of being engaged in a fight for liberty, which is constantly being threatened."

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Bob McDonnell

In Thesis, McDonnell Slammed Gays, Unwed Mothers, No-Fault Divorce

Eric Kleefeld and Zachary Roth | August 31, 2009, 4:04PM

VA gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell

The Washington Post yesterday reported on the masters thesis of Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell. As the paper noted, McDonnell argued, among other things, that working women and feminists are "detrimental" to the family; that government policy should favor married couples over "cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators;" and that the court decision legalizing the use of contraception by unmarried couples was "illogical," because at the time non-marital sex was itself a crime.

Now we've taken our own look at the thesis -- written for Regent University in 1989, when McDonnell was already a married man of 34 years old. And it looks like the Post left out some other excerpts that might also give readers some pause.

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Mark Sanford

No Support For Sanford Among SC House GOPers

Zachary Roth | August 31, 2009, 10:00AM

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

The first line of this report from the South Carolina's The State newspaper is pretty stark:

Gov. Mark Sanford had no defenders when South Carolina House Republicans discussed his fate Saturday at an annual retreat.

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