Calif. Congressman Admits Taking Bribes (Randy "Duke" Cunningham Pleads Guilty, Resigns)

Associated Press ^ | November 28, 2005 | ELLIOT SPAGAT

[RWR8189]

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy and tax charges and tearfully resigned from office, admitting he took $2.4 million in bribes to steer defense contracts to conspirators.

Cunningham, 63, entered pleas in U.S. District Court to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud, and tax evasion for underreporting his income in 2004.

Cunningham answered "yes, Your Honor" when asked by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns if he had accepted bribes from someone in exchange for his performance of official duties.

Later, at a news conference, he wiped away tears as he announced his resignation.

"I can't undo what I have done but I can atone," he said.

Cunningham, an eight-term Republican congressman, had already announced in July that he would not seek re-election next year.

House Ethics rules say that any lawmaker convicted of a felony no longer should vote or participate in committee work. Under Republican caucus rules, Cunningham also would have lost his chairmanship of the House Intelligence subcommittee on terrorism and human intelligence.

The former Vietnam War flying ace was known on Capitol Hill for his interest in defense issues and his occasional temperamental outbursts.

After the hearing, Cunningham was taken away for fingerprinting and released on his own recognizance until a Feb. 27 sentencing hearing. He could receive up to 10 years in prison.

He also agreed to forfeit to the government his Rancho Santa Fe home, more than $1.8 million in cash and antiques and rugs.

In a statement, prosecutors said Cunningham admitted to receiving at least $2.4 million in bribes paid to him by several conspirators through a variety of methods, including checks totaling over $1 million, cash, rugs, antiques, furniture, yacht club fees and vacations.

"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. The statement did not identify the conspirators.

The case began when authorities started investigating whether Cunningham and his wife, Nancy, used the proceeds from the $1,675,000 sale to defense contractor Mitchell Wade to buy the $2.55 million mansion in Rancho Santa Fe. Wade put the Del Mar house back on the market and sold it after nearly a year for $975,000 _ a loss of $700,000.

He drew little notice outside his San Diego-area district before the San Diego Union-Tribune reported last June that he'd sold the home to Wade.

Cunningham's pleas 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.

[Bonaparte]

"They just don't get it."

I wonder what they expected us to say -- that it's all about sex? Everybody does it? It's all Clinton's fault? Time to move on? Doesn't rise to the level of a crime?

Their arsenal of stock excuses is encyclopedic. They can't even imagine taking personal responsibility and accepting the consequences of their actions.

[Paloma_55]

To be honest, I don't know just how bad he is.

I just know that I find it refreshing that someone will take responsibility instead of blaming everyone else.

[SupplySider]

Where did his wife think all the booty was coming from? He belongs in jail.

I hope they catch her, too.

His televised apology didn't cut it for me. I'm just so, so sorry that he's losing the mansion that he bought with money stolen from hard working taxpayers.

[TBP]

His crime was taking the bribes, to which he pleaded guilty, but his mistake was getting caught. Jerry Springer coudl have told him, don't take checks.

[rlmorel]

These are my heros:

Adm. James Bond Stockdale

My dad:

My dad was a politician up here in Massachusetts: he had to run as a Democrat because a Republican cannot get elected. But my dad didn't have the need for kickbacks and perks, he was there to serve.

Sure, I have some sympathy for Cunningham. He was a once honorable man who lost his compass. It is greed that got him into this fix, and it is going to have an adverse effect on our country, all for some damned antiques.

As for John McCain, he was my commanding officer for several months right after I got into the Navy. I am deeply, DEEPLY disappointed by his support for CFR in the form it has taken.

[littleleaguemom]

You obviously feel betrayed.

He betrayed everyone in his district. He betrayed everyone in San Diego. He betrayed the GOP who does not need this now with the abuse the President and Governor are taking. But worst of all, he betrayed the USA. He had a sacred responsibility to fairly oversee intelligence matters. Instead, he was selling himself to the highest bidder. When Denise Rich gave Hillary coffee tables it was tacky and hilarious. But when Duke Cunningham, war hero, takes a houseful of antiques it is simply and pathetically disgusting.

[Prost1]

My dad is something a hero to me as well.

He was the in the 2nd wave at Normandy. He fought at the Battle of Brest. Crossed France mostly on foot and went into the Battle of the Bulge. Over 6 months of front line/no line fighting when life was measured in hours.

His memory is fading now (at 84) with a terrible disease.

(And I admired Admiral Stockdale.)

[rlmorel]

Yes, they were the greatest generation...prayers for your dad.

This business just makes me heartsick. Here is a good man who went astray...well, his path is laid for him now.

[VictoryGal]

Try eBay-- Libby's porn book was selling at unbelievable prices after the indictment.

[GOPJ]

Sorry, but his mistake was taking the bribes. If you think "everyone does it" and that Jerry Springer has something worth hearing, I'm surprised you're not a democrat... Republicans don't cheer for the criminals. I'm glad he got caught, I'm happy he quit. For me, his mistake was taking the bride. Getting caught was a gift - a gift that might save him...

[XEHRpa]

> What's the emoticon for me spitting in his face.

:^p~

[GOPJ]

..the average American cannot easily envision exactly HOW pervasive this stuff corruption in public office at the federal level, as well as by the bureaucracy) is.

Lots of us have been around the block a few times... and I have no doubt the "bureaucracy" is corrupt. My solution, unlike yours, is to fight it. Fire the people, hunt down those on the take, and clean it up. I look at Cunningham and I think, " great, one down". Republicans don't need him - or his apologists.

[Ramius]

I'm heartbroken that such as him could foul the water so bad. But I'll not spit on him while he's down.

Duke Cunningham is a hero. Now, sadly, he's a hero that's really screwed the pooch. I cannot fathom what he's done, and done so clearly in intention.

It just makes me sad.

[TBP]

Sorry, but his mistake was taking the bribes.

No, that was a crime, not a mistake, as I said before. However, in addition to the illegality, taking the checks was simply stupid. It made it MUCH easier to catch him.

If you think "everyone does it" and that Jerry Springer has something worth hearing, I'm surprised you're not a democrat...

The Springer reference was to when Springer was Mayor of Cincinnati. He was driven out of that post when he was caught patronizing the whorehouses in Kentucky. They were able to catch him because he paid the girls by check. All I was saying was that using checks to carry out this scheme was stupid. Sheesh.

[TBP]

If you think "everyone does it"

Actually, I think most of them do. That doesn't make it any less of a crime. What was it Mark Twain said? (Paraphrase) America has developed no native criminal class except Congress. Nobody is excusing Cunningham by saying that they (almost) all do it, just marveling at the sheer dumbth of his getting caught while the others get away with it.

[GOPJ]

No, that was a crime, not a mistake, as I said before. However, in addition to the illegality, taking the checks was simply stupid. It made it MUCH easier to catch him.

The moment he took the money - the bribe - he was a criminal. The fact that he's wasn't "caught" at that second doesn't effect what happened or what he is. Do you believe a person who eats when no one is watching is keeping to their diet? Or that an alcoholic who drinks alone isn't really drinking? Your way of thinking is so illogical ... really, you think like a democrat.

[TBP]

You're clearly not understanding what I'm saying, either for real or on purpose (in the latter case, you're a Dimmycrap. That is what they do: they deliberately misunderstand you so they can respond to what tehy want you to have said.)

The moment he took the money - the bribe - he was a criminal.

Right. We agree, and they should throw the book at him, as I have posted previously. But that was a crime -- a deliberate act -- not a "mistake." You don't "mistakenly" take bribes. If he made a mistake, it was in stupid execution, not in the deliberate criminal act.

The criminality was deliberate. But being sloppy enough to take checks was a stupid mistake. An error. Sloppiness. It made an easy record, making it much easier to find out what was going on.

Simple as that.

[ErnBatavia]

Duke Cunningham is a hero.

He's especially a hero to Nancy Pelosi...plays right into her current "cronyism and corruption" I-told-you-so-America mantra.

Damn!

[GOPJ]

Right. We agree, and they should throw the book at him, as I have posted previously. But that was a crime -- a deliberate act -- not a "mistake." You don't "mistakenly" take bribes. If he made a mistake, it was in stupid execution, not in the deliberate criminal act. The criminality was deliberate.

OK, now I "get" what you're saying - and I agree. Sorry it took so long...

[wardaddy]

I agree....what a shame.