Sen. Craig, salmon opponent, guilty in airport incident

Tuesday, August 28, 2007  

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), a critic of salmon preservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest and a defender of a judicial nominee who was unanimously opposed by tribes, pleaded guilty for a "lewd conduct" incident at a Minnesota airport in June.

Craig inserted a rider into an appropriations act to cut funding to the Fish Passage Center, which has collected data that suggests dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers hurt salmon. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the rider in a lawsuit filed by Columbia River treaty tribes and conservation groups.

Craig was the primary defender of Bill Myers, one of President Bush's nominees to the 9th Circuit. Tribes across the country opposed Myers for his stance on sacred sites, the trust relationship and consultation.

Craig pleaded guilty earlier this month, paid a fine and was placed on probation. But he now says he regrets doing so without the advice of a lawyer.

Get the Story:
GOP Senator Pleaded Guilty After Restroom Arrest (The Washington Post 8/28)
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Craig Arrested, Pleads Guilty Following Incident in Airport Restroom but Says He Did Nothing Wrong (Roll Call 8/27)

$rl Sen. Larry Craig - http://craig.senate.gov

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