Maximum Sentence Urged for Cunningham

[Judi Lynn]

Maximum Sentence Urged for Cunningham
But Defense Cites War Heroics and Depression in Seeking Reduced Term

By Charles R. Babcock and Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 2, 2006; Page A08

Former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) "bullied and hectored" Defense Department officials to ensure that two contractors who were bribing him "received their pound of gold" and profits of up to 850 percent, federal prosecutors contend in a new court filing that urges a federal judge to give Cunningham a maximum 10 years in prison when he is sentenced tomorrow.

But defense attorneys countered in court documents that Cunningham, 64, is depressed and suicidal and should receive a six-year term, in recognition of his service as a Navy pilot who once shot down three enemy planes over North Vietnam in a single day.

Cunningham resigned from the House after pleading guilty in November to tax evasion and conspiracy to take $2.4 million in bribes from two defense contractors and two New York businessmen in return for setting aside, or earmarking, federal money for them in spending bills. Mitchell J. Wade, one of the contractors, pleaded guilty last Friday to four felony counts for his part in the scheme.

In arguing for the maximum prison term, prosecutors in San Diego filed e-mails, memorandums and grand jury testimony late Tuesday to demonstrate that Cunningham's crimes cost the government millions of dollars because the contractors overcharged for equipment and services.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/01/AR2006030102201.html



Aerial view of Duke Cunningham's home.



18 Candidates Vie For Cunningham's Seat
Special Election Held April 11

POSTED: 6:51 am PST February 28, 2006
UPDATED: 7:00 am PST February 28, 2006

SAN DIEGO -- The race to finish Randy "Duke" Cunningham's term representing the 50th Congressional District has officially come down to 18 candidates.

Fourteen Republicans, two Democrats, one Libertarian and one independent will appear together on a special election ballot April 11. The deadline to register, including turning in 40 nominating signatures per candidate, was 5 p.m. Monday.

Cunningham resigned in disgrace last year after admitting to taking $2.4 million in bribes. The term runs through Jan. 3.

There is no primary, meaning voters will choose from the full slate of candidates, regardless of political party. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes cast in April, a runoff would be held among the top vote-getters of each party June 6, the day of the statewide primary election.
(snip/...)

http://www.10news.com/politics/7539107/detail.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Oh, noooo! Someone shoot me. I can't bear the news there'll be a new

"Top Gun" movie about Duke Cunningham. Is this an Oscar in the making?

Norm Ornstein: Tom Cruise to Play Randy "Duke" Cunningham Again Norm Ornstein
Tue Feb 28, 12:10 AM ET

Tristar Pictures announced today that Tom Cruise would play Randy "Duke" Cunningham in the story of Cunningham's sordid descent into bribery and manipulation of defense contracts during his career in Congress. "This is a homecoming of sorts for me," an exultant Cruise said. Cruise's first blockbuster screen role was in 1986's Top Gun, where his character, the brash jet fighter pilot Maverick Mitchell, was based on Cunningham, himself a fighter pilot in Vietnam.

Cruise purchased the film rights to Cunningham's story after a brisk bidding war, convincing Cunningham to sell to him in part because of the way Cruise had played him in Top Gun. Even so, the rights were in doubt after the sealed bids had been given to Cunningham's lawyer. But when Cruise sweetened the deal by also giving Cunningham a Rolls Royce, an antique commode and laser shooting equipment to replace the items seized by federal authorities when Cunningham was arrested, the outcome was sealed.

Cruise is going to write the screenplay himself. "It will be a docudrama," he said. "The gist of the story will be true, but we will punch up the story to make it more interesting." One fictitious character will be a sultry Washington defense lobbyist, Wanda Wickham, whose seductive ways help turn Cunningham to the dark side; she will be played by Katie Holmes. "We will delay the shooting until after the baby is born and Katie is back in shape," Cruise said.

Cunningham, who faces a long prison sentence and is fighting at least to keep his congressional pension, said through a spokesman that he was thrilled to have his story told again on the big screen, and especially thrilled to have Cruise take on the role. "I am hoping my success at selling my story for the Silver Screen will serve as an inspiration and hope for other congressmen caught taking millions in bribes and facing jail terms," he said in a prepared statement.
(snip/)

~~~~ link ~~~~



Arlen Spector gives it one gong.

[rucky]

3. This is a joke...

to the extent that Tom Cruise is a joke.

[Demeter]

21. Isn't This A Little Perverse?

Kinky, even? If I shook my head over every inanity I've met in the last 5 years, it would fall off.

[0007]

23. Tom is so cool ((((((((((((((( gong )))))))))))Arlen will bong anything


Tom is so cool! He gets it on the fly....

[Tiggeroshii]

2. Neither term is long enough

ESPECIALLY for a suicidal/depressed crook

[rucky]

4. at least he has another antique commode to keep him company. n/t

[saigon68]

5. LOL

[slackmaster]

6. Even the conservative San Diego Union-Tribune agrees!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060302/news_lz1ed2top.html



Of course the U-T takes care to passively point out in a sidebar that Cunningham is the first Republican congressman to be sent to prison, but the fact that they call for the maximum sentence is stunning to me.

UNION-TRIBUNE EDITORIAL
No mercy

Cunningham's crimes warrant 10-year term

March 2, 2006

In the long history of Congress, Randy “Duke” Cunningham stands alone as the most corrupt lawmaker ever nailed by federal prosecutors. This singular notoriety must not be overlooked by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns when he imposes sentence tomorrow on the former Rancho Santa Fe congressman.

Given the enormity of his crimes, Cunningham without question deserves the maximum 10-year prison term stipulated in his plea agreement with U.S. Attorney Carol Lam. Although his lawyers are seeking a reduced sentence of six years, anything short of the decade behind bars recommended by prosecutors would send the wrong message that Cunningham's monumental betrayal of the public trust is less than the horrific offense that it genuinely is.

<sidebar snipped>

At an hour when multiple corruption scandals have erupted simultaneously on Capitol Hill, Judge Burns can send a very healthy warning that exchanging cash for favors will not be tolerated at the bar of justice. The way to do so is to impose on Cunningham the maximum time in federal prison.

Consider that disgraced former Rep. James Traficant of Ohio was sentenced to eight years in 2002 for receiving several thousand dollars in bribes. Cunningham, by stunning contrast, pleaded guilty to taking not less than $2.4 million in bribes from defense firms in exchange for helping them gain lucrative federal contracts....

[Judi Lynn]

7. It's impossible to overlook their logic. Trafficant got 8 yrs., while

making off with a paltry amount in bribes. Cunningham looks like a career criminal!



Trafficant without the attractive toupe!

[slackmaster]

8. Cunningham is orders of magnitude worse

Traficant deserved 8 years. Cunningham deserves about 40.

Traficant is still well liked in his district, and he's one of my favorite colorful characters in politics.

There have been serious calls to bring Traficant back:

http://www.americanfreepress.net/08_09_02/Traficant_Speaks/traficant_speaks.html

[Judi Lynn]

9. He's a lively, interesting character among a bunch of people afraid to

stick their necks out. His old website photo was terrific, with the animated rolled-up constitution he held like a club.

Here's a grouping of some of his one minute speeches. Beam me up.

http://www.thememoryhole.org/traficant/one-minute-1997.htm
http://www.thememoryhole.org/traficant/

[slackmaster]

10. OMG - Thanks for the memories

And that horrible toupee has to go!

[maddezmom]

11. kick

[PhilipShore]

12. USA Today: Lawyers for bribed ex-lawmaker plead for leniency

USA Today
Lawyers for bribed ex-lawmaker plead for leniency
3/2/2006

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-03-02-cunningham-fate_x.htm

Randy "Duke" Cunningham flew high as a Navy fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and lived large as a member of Congress from bribes he took from a defense contractor. Today, in a San Diego federal courtroom, he will learn how hard he can crash.

The former Republican lawmaker resigned his House seat and pleaded guilty Nov. 28 to accepting at least $2.4 million in bribes for steering millions in defense contracts. He is to be sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Larry Alan Burns.

The government has asked for a prison term of 10 years, the maximum under Cunningham's plea agreement. His attorneys, citing failing health, mental depression and his age, 64, argue for a more lenient six years.

A separate assessment from a psychiatrist said Cunningham is suffering from depression and having suicidal thoughts. In a bid for leniency, the defense noted Cunningham is separated from his wife, Nancy, and lives in a bunkhouse on a friend's ranch, splitting wood and doing chores for room and board.

[FloridaPat]

13. To me this is treason. 10 years is too light. Should be life in Gitmo.

[EST]

14. At 64, "in failing health," he has little life left.

However, the amount of damage he and his cohorts have done is incalculable. The enormity of his sins defies any normal sentence consideration. A sentence of ten years is almost a joke to the people hs has damaged, although it may look large to him.
The sentence of ten years is a minimum. He should spend the rest of his life, whatever that is, in the pokey. 'If you can't do the time,...'

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. i don't want to appear callous, but....

i think cunningham should be made an example of, simply because he represents the party of "personal responsibility", the "law & order" crowd, and the people who sit in the cheering section for the death penalty. i hope they fry his a**, along with delay, libby, noe, kenneth lay & the whole criminal cabal.

[hang a left]

16. Poor Duke is depressed and having suicidal thoughts.

He used to be so happy when people were ordering ala carte.

[Botany]

17. The man took $2 million plus in bribes and sold out ...

.... his country and the military (did our troops get the best?) while wrapping
himself in the flag, God, and country. He is the tip of the iceberg ..... if he talks
then reduce ... if not send his ass to jail for 10 years.

[roguevalley]

18. he, as a veteren was party to the war. the kids suffering

when they come back deserve pity. not this bastard. there isn't enough years for him to try and repay.

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. Cunningham Asks for Leniency in Fraud Case

March 3, 2006, 5:00 AM EST

SAN DIEGO -- Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to corruption on a scale unparalleled in the history of Congress, is asking a federal judge to spare him the maximum sentence.

Cunningham, who resigned last year in disgrace after pleading guilty, was scheduled to be sentenced Friday for accepting $2.4 million from defense contractors and others in exchange for steering government contracts their way.

"I am ready to pay my debt to society," Cunningham wrote to U.S. District Judge Larry Burns last month. "With God's grace, I will accept your sentence without complaint."

Federal prosecutors have urged the judge to impose the maximum of 10 years in prison, the longest term ever for a congressman.

<snip>

"His own misconduct has already left him penniless, homeless, estranged from those he loves and disgraced in the eyes of his countrymen," Cunningham's lawyers wrote in a sentencing memorandum.


http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-congressman-bribery,0,4517909.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[wake.up.america]

20. I say 2 years prison, 10 years working at a soup kitchen at ...

minimum wage with no health coverage.

[jamesinca]

22. Lets see if this were not a repug from public office

"But defense attorneys countered in court documents that Cunningham, 64, is depressed and suicidal and should receive a six-year term" Steal a TV and you go to jail, get put on suicide watch and still serve your time. A reduced sentence is not an option for stolen TV's. I would be depressed too, screw up a life of luxury and have it traded in for a life of unwanted sodomy.


"in recognition of his service as a Navy pilot who once shot down three enemy planes over North Vietnam in a single day." Shoot three airplanes and you qualify as a hero and need leniency, get 3 purple hearts and you get called a coward and are swift boated. I guess if you get the Medal of Honor, you will be hung upside down by your genitals and beat with a baseball bat. At least that is the progression I am seeing here.