Cunningham interceded with prosecutor on behalf of developer

AP ^ | 7/26/5 | Erica Werner

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON – Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham wrote to prosecutors on behalf of a New York developer who later bought his boat and helped finance his house and condo.

The developer, Thomas T. Kontogiannis, was under investigation in a bribery and kickback scheme involving school computer contracts when Cunningham, R-Calif., wrote to the Queens, N.Y., district attorney on Oct. 19, 2000.

In his letter, faxed on congressional stationery to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Cunningham suggested that Kontogiannis might be the victim of a political agenda against a school official also under investigation. The letter was not responded to or acted on, Brown spokeswoman Nicole Navas said.

"It has come to my attention that a case has been filed against Tom Kontogiannis in New York's 29th school district. It has been alleged that there may be a political agenda being waged against former Superintendent Celestine Miller by a company allegedly not capable of completing a contract, and therefore Mr. Kontogiannis is being allegedly victimized," Cunningham wrote.

A Queens district attorney's official read the letter to The Associated Press but declined to be identified because it is not a public document. The letter was first reported Tuesday by The Washington Post.

[SmithL]

Even working under the assumption that there is a political agenda against Cunningham, this is still failing the smell test.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Cunningham won't run for reelection, so unless he is convicted of something he is a dead issue politically.

[Names Ash Housewares]

It is heartbreaking to learn these things about someone you admire. Top Gun instructor, Vietnam ace. Luckily the district is heavily Republican. Should be no problem to hold it for the party.

[ncountylee]

I really like the Duke but he looks dirty and the inquiry should go forward.

[calcowgirl]

Cunningham made $400,000 selling his 65-foot flat-bottom riverboat to Kontogiannis. A company run by Kontogiannis' nephew and daughter helped Cunningham finance a condominium in Alexandria, Va., and a house in Rancho Santa Fe that he bought with profits from the house he sold.

Kontogiannis also told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Cunningham gave him advice on attorneys to contact to explore getting a presidential pardon.

More stench.

[anisozet]

its republican but not that republican...i think the dems are claiming that barbara boxer got within 300 votes of winning which is not the greatest news.

it would seem dangerous to ignore this district...