Democrat Mob-Money?

This can't be good for the Democratic campaign.

As Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards arrived in Boston today for the Democratic National Convention, so did the California man who is their single biggest contributor. He is Stephen Bing, a wealthy film producer who, with little fanfare, has managed to steer a total of more than $16 million of his money to Democratic candidates and the supposedly independent groups that support them. ... In fact, Democratic Party officials said they knew nothing about the man who law enforcement officials tell ABC News is Bing's friend and business partner — Dominic Montemarano, a New York Mafia figure currently in federal prison on racketeering charges. ... According to The Los Angeles Times, Bing paid Montemarano's legal fees after his most recent scrape with the law. Montemerano's lawyer said his client was an employee of Bing's. After a recent private lunch with Democratic vice-presidential candidate Edwards, Bing also declined to answer questions about his relationship with Montemarano.

Just because Bing has a Mafia friend doesn't mean he is a criminal of course, but it does raise questions. Money, obviously, buys access so it is in the public's interest to know who is getting this access. Personnaly I am opposed to campaign contribution limits, but I am 100% in favor that all contributions be disclosed. (hat tip: Citizen Smash)