Changes

In 1978, Passman was implicated in the Tongsun Park scandal, by which time his congressional service had already ended a year earlier. Media reports of the scandal began in 1975–1976, and they worked to sink Passman's reelection. A South Korean businessman, Tongsun Park described himself as an "American success story," when he came to the attention of the [[FBI]]. Park lavished valuable gifts to prominent politicians in an influence peddling scheme known as "Koreagate."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congressionalbadboys.com/Koreagate.htm|title=Koreagate|publisher=congressionalbadboys|accessdate=June 20, 2014}}</ref> The scandal involved alleged [[bribery]] of over a hundred sitting or former members of Congress, including Louisiana Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. In April 1978, Park sat before [[television]] cameras in a U.S. House hearing and listed a long list of payments — mostly in cash — to some thirty members of Congress. He said that he had given the money in little white envelopes. Only ten members of Congress were seriously implicated. Three avoided prosecution through the expiration of the [[statute of limitations]]. Passman was not immediately prosecuted because of illness.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 341.</ref>​

In 1978, Passman was implicated in the Tongsun Park scandal, by which time his congressional service had already ended a year earlier. Media reports of the scandal began in 1975–1976, and they worked to sink Passman's reelection. A South Korean businessman, Tongsun Park described himself as an "American success story," when he came to the attention of the [[FBI]]. Park lavished valuable gifts to prominent politicians in an influence peddling scheme known as "Koreagate."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congressionalbadboys.com/Koreagate.htm|title=Koreagate|publisher=congressionalbadboys|accessdate=June 20, 2014}}</ref> The scandal involved alleged [[bribery]] of over a hundred sitting or former members of Congress, including Louisiana Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. In April 1978, Park sat before [[television]] cameras in a U.S. House hearing and listed a long list of payments — mostly in cash — to some thirty members of Congress. He said that he had given the money in little white envelopes. Only ten members of Congress were seriously implicated. Three avoided prosecution through the expiration of the [[statute of limitations]]. Passman was not immediately prosecuted because of illness.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 341.</ref>​

Thereafter, the Justice Department in 1978 indicted Passman, the biggest recipient of Park's largess &ndash; $213,000. He was charged with conspiracy, bribery, and accepting an illegal gratuity. The indictment was expanded to include tax evasion. Because of the tax evasion charge, Passman was able, through his [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] [[attorney]], [[Camille Gravel]], to get the case transferred to Monroe. While Passman had been defeated for reelection in 1976, there was still a reservoir of good feeling for him in many quarters of Monroe.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 341-342.</ref> Passman's physician said that the former representative suffered from organic brain disease and [[Depression (mood)|depression]] and preferred [[suicide]] to standing trial.<ref>"Doctor says Passman prefers suicide to trial," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' June 22, 1978, p. 1.</ref>​

Thereafter, the Justice Department in 1978 indicted Passman, the biggest recipient of Park's largess &ndash; $213,000. He was charged with conspiracy, bribery, and accepting an illegal gratuity. The indictment was expanded to include tax evasion. Because of the tax evasion charge, Passman was able, through his [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] [[attorney]], [[Camille Gravel]], to get the case transferred to Monroe. While Passman had been defeated for reelection in 1976, there was still a reservoir of good feeling for him in many quarters of Monroe.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 341-342.</ref> Passman's physician said that the former representative suffered from organic brain disease and depression and preferred [[suicide]] to standing trial.<ref>"Doctor says Passman prefers suicide to trial," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' June 22, 1978, p. 1.</ref>​

Attorney William G. Hundley, a former investigator of [[organized crime]] for the U.S. Justice Department, offered these observations of the Passman trial:​

Attorney William G. Hundley, a former investigator of [[organized crime]] for the U.S. Justice Department, offered these observations of the Passman trial:​