Hundreds show for Currie's $250-a-plate fundraiser

Nearly 18 months after FBI agents raided his home in a federal corruption probe, almost 200 Maryland lawmakers, fundraisers, lobbyists, labor organizers and business owners turned out Wednesday for a $250-a-plate fundraiser for Prince George's Sen. Ulysses Currie (D).

The showing seemed to signal the powerful chairman of Senate's Budget and Taxation Committee no longer fears drawing attention to himself and that both political hopefuls and established members of the state's Democratic party feel comfortable publicly pledging support.

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., (D) were among those who spoke at the breakfast gathering in Greenbelt.

Currie never mentioned the ongoing probe, but closed the program saying it meant a lot to see so many familiar faces in the audience. "Thanks for supporting us. This means a lot to my wife, Shirley, my family, what you've done for me today."

One attendee said the large turnout reflected all the good that Currie's done for his district, as well as a growing belief among supporters that the probe would not amount to any more trouble.

"He's going through some stuff, but it looks like all of that will work itself out," the supporter said.

One of the Senate's most prolific fundraisers, Currie reported taking in only $17,673 last year -- and all of that was before news broke in late May 2008 about an FBI raid of Currie's home and the headquarters of Shoppers Food and Pharmacy, for whom Currie had been doing undisclosed consulting work.

Currie raised nearly $64,000 during the same period a year before. According to his last required financial disclosure in January, Currie's political bank account had a balance of $345,663.