Calif. Congressman Admits Taking Bribes
 

SAN DIEGO - Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, an eight-term congressman and hotshot Vietnam War fighter jock, pleaded guilty to graft and tearfully resigned Monday, admitting he took $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors to steer business their way.

"The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my office," the 63-year-old Republican said at a news conference. "I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, most importantly, the trust of my friends and family."

He could get up to 10 years in prison at sentencing Feb. 27 on federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud, and tax evasion.

Investigators said Cunningham, a member of a House Appropriations subcommittee that controls defense dollars, secured contracts worth tens of millions of dollars for those who paid him off. Prosecutors did not identify the defense contractors.

Cunningham was charged in a case that grew out of an investigation into the sale of his home to a defense contractor at an inflated price.

The congressman had already announced in July — after the investigation became public — that he would not seek re-election next year. But until he entered his plea, he had insisted he had done nothing wrong.

Cunningham's plea came amid a series of GOP scandals: Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas had to step down as majority leader after he was indicted in a campaign finance case; a stock sale by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is being looked at by regulators; and Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff was indicted in the CIA leak case.

Cunningham, a swaggering former flying ace with the Navy during the Vietnam War, was known on Capitol Hill for his interest in defense issues and his occasional outbursts.

In court documents, prosecutors said Cunningham admitted receiving at least $2.4 million in bribes paid in a variety of forms, including checks totaling over $1 million, cash, antiques, rugs, furniture, yacht club fees and vacations.

Among other things, prosecutors said, Cunningham was given $1.025 million to pay down the mortgage on his Rancho Santa Fe mansion, $13,500 to buy a Rolls-Royce and $2,081 for his daughter's graduation party at a Washington hotel.

"He did the worst thing an elected official can do — he enriched himself through his position and violated the trust of those who put him there," U.S. Attorney Carol Lam said.


for full article...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051128/...NlYwMlJVRPUCUl

I wonder what D T and the OJ have to say about this.

What the North Vietnamese Air Force failed to do thirty-odd years ago, greed finished it off. What a way to piss away fame... and what's worse, he might have to dodge 'meat-seeking missiles' in Federal Pound-Me-In-The-Ass Penitentiary.

Don't you think it more likely an ex-congressman would go to a "country club" type prison than somewhere like Super-Max.

Not Surprised.


I grew up in San Diego. Cunningham has been a crook for years (Literally).

Hmmm, Let's see...

Libby
Frist
Delay
Scanlon
Abramoff
Cunningham


BTW: If one more person in congress gets indicted, gets placed under investigation or pleads guilty, do we get a set of steak knives?

He fought in Vietnam. You guys can't talk. He's a hero. He can do whatever he wants now.

-Rudey

To date, only convicted by the Media Wing of the Democratic Party, the willing accomplises.

Cunningham was investigated by the Justice Dept. headed by Bush appointees. The system works.

I think a dozen or more friends of Clinton were convicted in the Whitewater investigation, and Clinton was impeached, surrendered his law license, and lied under oath during his days.

There are bums in both parties, on every level of govt., and I wish they would catch more of them.

On a TV show about Las Vegas today, a gambler rolled two fours. The dealer looked at them, and called them "Bill & Hillary, two squares." They live on in Vegas.

Rudey, Sorry once again You are Wrong!

A War Hero who is a Crook, is still a Crook and uses The Public Trust for His Betterment!:mad:

Now of Course it seems the scope is widening to many others!
Go Figure!:rolleyes:

Above the Public Trust? Seems many thought that way!:mad:

I think that's a fair comment.