SmallGovTimes.com

By: SGT News | Published on 11/04/07    

Philip J. Martin, a friend and major campaign contributor to Fred Thompson's presidential campaign, had pleaded guilty to several felony charges in the mid 70's and 80's, including work as a bookie and dealing drugs.

Martin has flown Thompson around the country to various campaign events in a private jet and helped raise several million dollars in support of the ex-Tennessee Senator's campaign. The use of Martin's jet has saved Thompson's campaign over $100,000 in travel expenses because of election laws that allow discount travel reimbursements for candidates.

Thompson, who claims Martin to be a longtime friend, apparently only became aware of the charges recently. Thompson's deputy communications director, Karen Hanretty, said, "Senator Thompson was unaware of the information until this afternoon. Phil Martin has been a friend of the senator since the mid-1990s and remains so today."

"There's not a campaign in the world that has the ability to research every one of its supporters going back more than 20 years," added communications director Todd Harris.

Martin's drug problems included the attempted sale of 11 pounds of marijuana and the intentions to make a cocaine deal with an undercover police officer in Florida. In the early 80's, Martin was charged with violating probation and, two years later, proceeded to establish several businesses in Tennessee, including a pizza restaurant and hardware store.

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