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I haven't been able to stomach Scarborough since I read this:

Lori Klausutis

Another intern death received very little media attention outside the congressional district of former U.S. Congressman Joe Scarborough in Northwest Florida.

Lori Klausutis was an intern who had been working in Congressman Scarborough's office as a constituent services coordinator since May, 1999. Due to Congressman Scarborough's shocking announcement he was retiring from Congress, Lori was excited about a new job possibility. She was married, lived in a nice home and was active in her Catholic Church congregation. Lori's husband, Dr. Timothy Klausutis worked in research and development at Eglin AFB. A seemingly idyllic life - until the morning of July 19, 2001 when Lori was found dead in Scarborough's congressional offices.

Lori's death was ruled accidental. Conflicting statements were released to the local press by Dr. Michael Berkland, the medical examiner, who reached this conclusion: Dr. Berkland, speculated that Lori had suffered an abnormal heart rhythm, due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition, causing her to fall, striking her head against a desk. This caused a blow to the head severe enough to cause death.

Many found this finding disturbing as there was a 7 1/2" gash on the wrong side of her head where she supposedly fell and hit it on a desk. Further dissatisfaction was expressed due to Dr. Berkland's own questionable background:

He was fired as Medical Examiner in Jackson County Missouri in 1996. In 1998 the state of Missouri revoked his license to practice for a minimum of six years. He was suspended as Medical Examiner in Florida for having failed to report that he was under investigation. The revocation of his license imperiled at least nine criminal convictions in Missouri.

In Special Report published on American Politics Journal, August 8, 2001, "Never Bound by the Truth", Chris George and Denis Wright further supplied proof of Dr. Berkland's troubling medical history including two cases in which a reversal of judgment has been sought based on false testimony by Dr. Berkland. While the case is officially closed, there continues to be a demand that it be reopened and an impartial investigation be conducted.

Rumors and speculation ran wild in Scarborough County regarding a relationship between Lori and Joe. Despite his recent reelection in 2000, a scant few months later, amidst rumors of infidelity with an office worker and then divorce, Scarborough shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from Congress. His job as publisher of the Independent Florida Sun also became part of his past when Scarborough announced his resignation in order to spend more time with his sons.

Joe Scarborough can now been seen weeknights on MSNBC as host of Scarborough Country.