Today’s Dirty Money Update

There is nothing quite as wonderful as money.
There is nothing quite as beautiful as cash.
Some people say it's folly,
But I'd rather have the lolly.
With money you can make a splash.
(Monty Python, The Money Song)

Hey, another day, another political fundraising scandal. This one involves both parties (70% to Democrats, however), Oil-for-food AND Saddam Hussein. And some of the recipients don't appear to want to give the tainted cash back.

Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson and a host of congressional candidates from both parties accepted cash from Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. and his wife, Lynn,since the federal government accused the Texas oilman of paying millions of dollars in kickbacks to Saddam Hussein.

Wyatt was indicted in 2005 on charges related to illegal payments for oil contracts from the Hussein-led Iraqi government under the United Nations’ oil-for-food program. And since then, the Wyatts have found willing recipients for nearly $22,000 in political donations.

After inquiries from Politico, Richardson and Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said they would donate the Wyatts’ contributions to charity and return them, respectively, while other recipients are awaiting the outcome of Wyatt’s trial that started this month in New York.

Donors’ backgrounds have emerged as an intriguing subplot in Campaign ’08. That’s both because the presidential race has witnessed unprecedented early fundraising and spending and because campaigns are increasingly relying on super-donors known as bundlers to rustle up cash from others — giving them influence beyond the $4,600-per-person contribution limit. 

Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) wants to see if the prosecution is "fair" before he decides whether to give it back - regardless of whether there is a conviction, apparently. This is just going to get worse, isn't it?