Free Republic

Hotel dispute started confrontation that sent home Secret Service agents for misconduct involving prostitution full title An employee approached at least one Secret Service agent and demanding that he pay extra money for having an additional overnight guest in his room. The agent balked, which eventually resulted in a confrontation and forced diplomatic intervention. The official said the guest involved apparently was a prostitute. It remains unclear whether more agents and more prostitutes were involved. A hotel employee told the Associated Press the agents were drinking heavily during their stay.

At first glance, it's difficult to decide which is more pathetic: that an information technology company couldn't give away its services to the Department of Motor Vehicles, or that the cash-strapped state actually requested proposals on a contract that offered no payment for the job. Late last year DMV put out word that it wanted "a no-fee security risk assessment" of its computer system and set a Dec. 31, 2010, deadline for applications. Department spokesman Mike Marando said DMV posted the request after a firm offered the service for free. It opened the bidding process to be fair, while telling...

In addition to DWP's contract with Fleishman-Hillard, Mayor James Hahn used the harbor and airport department contracts with the P.R. firm to strategize and publicize himself and his administration, records show. A review of invoices City Controller Laura Chick turned over to the City Attorney's Office show Fleishman-Hillard billed Los Angeles World Airports and the Port of Los Angeles thousands of dollars for publicizing events that showcased the mayor. Chick has accused the firm of overbilling the Department of Water and Power $4.2 million over a six-year period. She has not specifically looked at billings at the other agencies. Both...

<p>In his 1981 movie, playing Louis XIV and mugging for the camera while enjoying his vast array of royal privileges, the erstwhile French monarch cracked, "It's good to be king."</p> <p>It's good to be a member of the California Legislature, too.</p>