DHS produces letter they said they didn't have

WASHINGTON - The Homeland Security Department produced a letter Friday from disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham recommending a limousine company for federal contracts — a day after claiming it didn't have such a letter.

The latest twist in the tale of Shirlington Limousines — which is part of a federal investigation into whether a defense contractor provided Cunningham with prostitutes and limos — prompted ridicule and disbelief from lawmakers.

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Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y., said, "Despite repeated assurances to the contrary, it now turns out that the department had the Cunningham letter all along."

"This letter certainly puts the department's credibility on the line, and raises further questions about political manipulation in the contracting process," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.

"If we can't trust them to find a letter, how can we trust them to find a terrorist?" asked Rep. Bennie Thompson (news, bio, voting record), D-Miss., the Homeland Security Committee's top Democrat.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060617/ap_on_go_co/congressman_bribery