The Insider

When we asked how much he'll be forking over, West paused. "I don't know," he replied, "what do you think?"

Pretty (Noxious) in Pink
The funeral service for Norman Black was over, and Rabbi Samuel Karff, who had just delivered a moving eulogy to the recently retired federal judge, summoned the honorary pallbearers for a procession behind the casket down the center aisle of Beth Israel Temple. Immediately after the pallbearers -- all federal district judges and all clad in black -- filed out behind the coffin, along came "this vision in screaming hot pink -- Sheila Jackson Lee," as one attendee reported.

Given Lee's reputation for grandstanding at funerals, our tipster was more surprised that the congresswoman had somehow failed to seize the microphone during the service than by the inappropriate exit and color of her dress.

Meanwhile, Lee's Washington chief of staff, Kathi Wilkes, is joining the ever-lengthening roster of former Lee employees. Wilkes tendered a letter of resignation to Lee earlier this month, but did not return a call from The Insider to let us know exactly why or when she's leaving. Perhaps driving Ms. Sheila just wore her out.

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