Lawyers for bribed ex-lawmaker plead for leniency (for Cunningham)

[ProSense]

Lawyers for bribed ex-lawmaker plead for leniency

By Jim Drinkard, USA TODAY
Fri Mar 3, 7:57 AM ET

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.

Cunningham "went astray at the end of a long life that was otherwise marked by distinctive service, to his country and community, " his lawyers argue in pre-sentencing filings.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060303/pl_usatoday/lawyersforbribedexlawmakerpleadforleniency

[Lasher]

1. He's already lived his life like a king, on other peoples' money

I'd say that's lenient enough.

[Virginia Dare]

2. It is an affront to other war heroes who were able to come home

and live their lives without screwing the public out of their money while lining their own pockets. Sorry Duke, just like Pete Rose, it doesn't matter what you did in the past, it's how you conducted yourself later, no special considerations...throw the book at him.