Would he be atoning if he hadn't gotten caught?

Submitted by Prometheus 6 on November 28, 2005 - 7:38pm.
on Justice | Politics

This could get as ugly as when Larry Flint put a bounty on adulterous Congressmen...and it doesn't even seem to be part of the Abrahamoff mess.

Congressman Resigns After Admitting He Took Bribes
By MARIA NEWMAN

Representative Randy Cunningham of California resigned from Congress today after admitting to a federal judge that he had taken $2.4 million in bribes from a military contractor.

Mr. Cunningham, 63, made a brief and tearful announcement to a group of reporters outside a federal courthouse in San Diego after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. He admitted to taking money from a military contractor in exchange for his supporting the contractor's efforts to secure Defense Department contracts. The eight-term Republican congressman, one of the most highly decorated fighter pilots of the Vietnam War, also pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion for underreporting his income in 2004.

"The truth is I broke the law," Mr. Cunningham, and "disgraced my family."

"I forfeited my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions," and, he added, his voice breaking, "most importantly, the trust of my friends and family."

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

Sentencing was set for Feb. 27. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a six-figure fine.

Prosecutors said Mr. Cunningham had admitted to accepting 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.

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Submitted by ptcruiser on November 28, 2005 - 8:17pm.

Weren't these the folks who were supposed to restore honor etc. to Washington after the debacle of the sperm stained blue dress?

Submitted by Temple3 on November 29, 2005 - 1:08am.

I don't see this guy doing more than 18 months at a country club.

Submitted by Prometheus 6 on November 29, 2005 - 8:07am.

Yeah, basically he gets to give back some of the money and be embarrassed.

Meanwhile, his sort of crime robs EVERYONE AT ONCE, and distorts the economy...the theft that keeps of taking...