"Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy and tax charges involving the sale of his home two years ago to a defense contractor at an inflated price."
The stupid fool did it the wrong way. When John Edwards was a Senator he "sold" his home to a Saudi Lobbyist who plunked down a $100,000 earnest money check. When he was "unable" to come up with the additional funds to buy the house, edwards kept the $100,000.
No ethics investigation and a nice $100,000 profit.
FYI many deposits on real estate are kept by the seller if the buyer can't meet the terms of the contract. It is a common practice.