Have an Inauguration Ticket to Sell? Not So Fast...

A little comedy from Capitol Hill. A former aide to Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) was caught scalping the inauguration tickets that the congressman had given her, which as of yesterday was an ethics violation, and as of today, is on its way to being a crime.

Gina Santucci, the former legislative counsel to Poe, put four tickets she had received from the congressman on Craigslist and was quickly exchanging emails with "Jackie Kentucky":

"Jackie - Just to confirm, you'll pay $3500 for 4 tickets? Are you able to pay in cash?" Santucci wrote. "I am picking up the tickets on Wednesday afternoon and will be able to meet you after that."

Jackie Kentucky wrote back, agreeing to pay cash if Santucci could produce a letter or email proving authenticity of the inauguration tickets.

"Yes, I have an email, but will redact information identifying Member of Congress as he is a personal friend of mine and I do not want to cause embarrassment," Santucci replied.

Well, that ship's sailed.

But apparently this was just the nudge a bill sponsored by Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) needed, because last night the Senate voted unanimously to make the scalping of inaugural tickets a crime. The bill now moves on for a House vote. And Gina is making other plans for Tuesday.