Porcine scare clears Boehner's West Chester office
Monday, October 06, 2008
HAMILTON — A package of low-sodium bacon triggered the evacuation of House Minority Leader John Boehner's West Chester office on Monday, Oct. 6, after staff going through the mail became suspicious of oily residue leaking from a package.
Worried that the residue was evidence of some sort of attack, staffers contacted the Washington, D.C., office and Capitol police about 3:30 p.m.
The four staffers in the West Chester office were evacuated a half-hour later, according to Jessica Towhey, a Boehner spokeswoman.
Police, local fire officials and the Butler County hazardous material team were called to the office at 7969 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.
After two X-rays of the package were inconclusive, officials took the package out back and opened it, only to find it was bacon.
The bacon was taken into custody.
Towhey said the package included a return address from Georgia.
"It's ironic someone would send Congressman Boehner a package of bacon, considering his fight against pork-barrel spending," Towhey said, noting Boehner does not request earmarks or so-called "pork" projects for his district.
She also noted that the office appreciated the speedy response from law enforcement, and suggested that those interested in contacting Boehner make phone calls or send e-mails.




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