JOHN W. JENRETTE JR. - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/18/1976 - HFSID 34535

JOHN JENRETTE
As a Member of Congress - not yet mired in scandal - he thanks a constituent for bringing his attention to a problem, and promises to look into it. Accompanied by a photo of Jenrette with his (now ex-) wife and by an article written by her about their marriage
Typed Letter signed: "John Jenrette Jr." as US Representative, 1 page, 8x10½. Washington, D.C., 1976 August 18. On his Congressional letterhead to Ms Toni Currin, Dillon, South Carolina. In full: "Your letter of August 10 has been received and I would like to thank you for bringing to my attention the problems that you mentioned with the material on the strand. I am obtaining some information on this particular subject and should be back in touch with you very soon. I would like to also thank you for your kind remarks about the campaign. I am quite optimistic and appreciate all the efforts of my good friends. With all good wishes, I am, Sincerely". Accompanied by unsigned b/w photo of John and Rita Jenrette, and by a the first page of a magazine article by Rita Jenrette, "The Liberation of a Congressional Wife." John Jenrette, a Democrat, was first elected to Congress in 1974, and appeared to be a rising star in the Party. The FBI set up Abdul Enterprises, Ltd. in 1978 and FBI employees posed as Middle Eastern businessmen in videotaped talks with over 30 government officials, where they offered money in return for political favors to a non-existent sheik. In February, Jenrette and seven other members of Congress were said to be under investigation as a result of the operation named ABSCAM. On June 13, 1980, Jenrette was indicted. On December 10, 1980, having lost his bid for re-election, Jenrette resigned from Congress as the House Ethics Committee moved toward his expulsion. In 1981, he was convicted of bribery and conspiracy. Jenrette's "Playboy" centerfold wife, Rita, later revealed the fact that she had engaged in sexual relations with the Congressman on the steps of the Capitol building. (The satirical singer songwriters, the Capitol Steps, took their name from this incident.)Jenrette, who had bragged to FBI agents on tape that he had "larceny in his heart," served additional time in 1990 after shoplifting a necktie. Normal mailing folds. Slightly creased. Otherwise, fine condition.