Prosecutors: GOP Fundraiser Sought Perks
By JOHN SEEWER
The Associated Press
Sunday, September 10, 2006; 4:50 PM
TOLEDO, Ohio -- A prominent GOP fundraiser funneled $45,000 to President Bush's re-election campaign because he wanted perks that can come along with being among an elite group of the president's fundraisers, court papers said.
Tom Noe had pleaded guilty in May to arranging a contribution scheme to fulfill his promise to generate $50,000 for a Bush fundraiser in 2003. Noe hasn't explained why he arranged the scheme.
The court papers indicate Noe wanted perks that can come with the "Pioneers" fundraising group _ business leaders and lobbyists who raised at least $100,000 for Bush.
Noe wanted "in part to obtain presidential invitations to the White House and the President's ranch in Texas," prosecutors said in a court filing asking that Noe be given a longer sentence than they originally sought.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091000643.html