Government alleges Cunningham solicited bribe in home sale

[UpInArms]

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/08/25/news/top_stories/20_11_198_24_05.txt

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham demanded a Washington defense contractor pay far more for his Del Mar Heights home than it was worth "in return for being influenced in the performance of his official acts as a public official," a violation of the bribery statute governing public officials, government attorneys alleged Thursday.

In a civil filing signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Forge, the government contends that the 50th Congressional District lawmaker sold his home to Mitchell J. Wade for $1.675 million, "an amount far greater than its true fair market value. Cunningham demanded and received this money in return for being influenced in the performance of his official acts as a public official in violation of Title 18, United State Code, Section 201." Section 201 of the code is the area of U.S. law that describes corruption of public officials.

The government further alleges that Cunningham and his wife, Nancy, used more than $1.4 million of the $1.675 million to purchase an estate-style home in Rancho Santa Fe. That money was obtained by the congressman in violation of the law, the attorneys allege.

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