Lawmaker Says He Was Wrong on Drug Money

Rep. Pat Swindall apologized Friday for considering a proposal to finance a $1-million home with laundered drug and gambling money, saying he was wrong and ashamed but would still run for reelection.

The Republican congressman said his political future should be left to the voters of Georgia’s 4th District, in Atlanta’s eastern suburbs. The primary is Aug. 9.

“I was wrong to have ever considered such a proposal, to have discussed, it,” Swindall said. “I was wrong not to have gone to the authorities before I did.”

‘Right Decision’

He said, however, that he “made the right decision” in walking away from the deal before he got in too deep. “I do know the difference between right and wrong.”

The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution reported Thursday that transcripts of tapes made by federal authorities show Swindall was told that money he was seeking to borrow for a home in Stone Mountain might be illegal drug or gambling profits.

The tapes were made by Internal Revenue Service agent Michael Mullaney. Mullaney, posing as a money broker for underworld figures, was investigating Charles LeChasney when the Atlanta businessman brought in Swindall to negotiate an $850,000 loan.

LeChasney has been indicted on federal money laundering charges.

Swindall said he did receive a $150,000 check at one point, but he returned it uncashed. He said he terminated all dealings with LeChasney when he began to suspect the money was tainted.