PORTLAND, Ore. - For the second time this year, Lake Oswego Republican congressional candidate Mike Erickson defended himself against allegations of dishonesty.

This time it was over a trip he took to Cuba four years ago.

Erickson said he was there for humanitarian purposes - to deliver medical supplies.

The man who set up the trip to Cuba in 2004, Bob Walz, said it was a week-long vacation disguised as an aid trip for Erickson and a group of his friends.

Erickson said the issue surfaced as part of a smear campaign by his opponents. The Oregonian first reported on the controversy over the weekend. Read more.

The Associated Press gave this report on a news conference Erickson held Monday:

The following is a press release Erickson issued Monday in response to the controversy:

Mike Erickson held a press conference today to discuss his 2004 trip to Cuba.  During the press conference, Erickson spoke about the humanitarian aid he delivered and took questions.  Mike Erickson said the following:

"There has been a lot of misinformation printed by the Oregonian regarding my trip to Cuba.  Here are the facts:

In 2004, I had an opportunity to travel to Cuba for a humanitarian aid trip, sponsored by the Cuban American Alliance Education Fund.  Myself and others from throughout the United States flew to Cuba, delivered medical supplies, equipment and medication to some of Cuba's most impoverished citizens. 

The trip also provided the opportunity to see firsthand how Fidel Castro has mistreated Cuban citizens and just how bad healthcare is in Cuba.

We were given a list of badly needed items and were encouraged to bring additional aid so we could deliver them to other local area medical facilities.

The first full day we were in Cuba, the humanitarian group went by bus to the Cuban Association of Disabled Peoples office and delivered the majority of our aid.  While we were there, we asked what other close-by medical facility could use the additional medical supplies.  They pointed out a nearby clinic that would benefit from the aid we brought.

The second full day in Cuba, we returned to the same area and delivered the rest of the aid to the local medical facility that the disabled office had suggested.  This medical facility that the Oregonian said didn't exist, does in fact exist and is about 8 blocks from that office.

We toured the area and medical facility, met with some of the staff and delivered the aid. 

I was able to help out Cuba's most medically fragile children and elderly by bringing items like walkers, bandages, and medication. 

It is time to get past these kinds of smear tactics and start focusing on real issues that matter to the voters.  100's of citizens benefited from the supplies the group brought, and those Cuban's that received our help were thankful.

We as a country need to be to be doing more to help others.  Not only here in our country, but also other oppressed places around the world.  I have done a small part to help and I am proud of what I have been able to do to help others.

Now I am being attacked by the Oregonian for trying to help others.

I was raised watching my dad as a police officer always helping others and giving back to the community.

I have been giving back to the community for years now.  I actively support a large number of charities throughout the state and U.S..

I was recently awarded the Portland Business Journal's Corporate Philanthropy Award in 2006 for being one of the top giving CEOs in Oregon .  I spend a lot of time in Portland feeding the homeless, and I have worked with and supported organizations like Open Arms International who help with aid across the world and many other charities as well.

I have worked hard to give back to those who need help and I will continue to do so.

When I am elected to congress I will continue to provide aid to those in need.  We have healthcare costs that are out of control, gas prices that are hurting family pocketbooks, and an economy that isn't providing the jobs Oregonians need to pay bills and support families.

I will go back to Washington to work hard for the voters in this district and citizens across the United States."