Is That a Checkbook in Your Pocket or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

One of the oldest and most venerable financial institutions in DC is Riggs National Bank. A number of US Presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, have had checking accounts there, and Riggs financed the US government's purchase of Alaska back in 1868. It's motto even used to be "Right on the money," because it used to appear on the back of the OLD ten dollar bill (Don't believe me? Find an older ten spot--one with the smaller portrait of Alexander Hamilton--and you'll see a picture of the US Treasury from down the street. Just behind it, poking out from around the corner, is another building. That's a Riggs branch).

Lately though, Riggs' once bright star has faded. The bank's sale to PNC out of Pittsburgh is expected to be finalized some time in the next few months. Meanwhile, Riggs officials are under investigation for money laundering on behalf of a number of foreign embassies and dictatorships.

Now former Senator and one time presidential candidate Bob Dole's name has gotten caught up in this quagmire. Federal investigators have discovered that once a week, one of Mr. Dole's assistants shows up to withdraw $8,000 cash for him. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this activity, but it has prompted the creation of a suspicious activity report.

This really shouldn't surprise anyone, though. It has long been rumored among DC's power elite that Mr. Dole is nursing a thousand dollar a day Viagra habit.

And quite frankly, I think he's been faking that whole arm thing, too.