Following revelations that an adviser and top fundraiser to Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign had a history as a drug dealer, bookie and reluctant taxpayer, that adviser resigned, according to a statement released by the Thompson campaign.
An e-mailed statement from the campaign to reporters quoted Philip Martin as saying he had decided to step down because “the focus of this campaign should be on Fred Thompson’s positions on the issues and his outstanding leadership ability,” not on his mistakes.
“I deeply regret any embarrassment this has caused,” the statement read.
News accounts Sunday reported Martin had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to charges involving cocaine and marijuana dealing and bookmaking in the 1970s and 80s.
Martin was an adviser to Thompson since early this year, even before the former Republican senator officially announced his candidacy. Martin helped raise $6 million in pledged donations and traveled with Thompson to campaign events.
