At least it won't be time in the Hanoi Hilton.
I don't know the facts here, and I doubt anyone on FReep does. But if he's really dying, that should be taken into account. White-collar crime shouldn't require you to die in prison. It's just vengeful to do that, and for the most part, only violent criminals are worthy of revenge.
Being a Republican, Mr. Cunningham will probably get the full sentence demanded. Things tend to work that way, it seems.