SAN DIEGO - The federal government said for the first time in court Thursday that it is seeking to seize a California congressman's home because prosecutors believe it was purchased with ill-gotten gains.
The charge, disclosed in an amendment to a complaint that was previously filed secretly, said Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., sold his previous home at an inflated price to a defense contractor whose company was seeking federal contracts. Cunningham then used the money from that sale to buy his current home for $2.55 million, according to the complaint.
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Cunningham demanded and received this money in return for being influenced in the performance of his official acts as a public official," according to the complaint, filed in federal court in San Diego.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050826/ap_on_go_co/congressman_s_house