Jump to content

Duke Cunningham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by NavyBlueSunglasses (talk | contribs) at 22:38, 24 April 2016 (→Political career: Sanders, who now is one of the Democratic Party's presidential candidates in 2016, was elected to the Senate in 2006. Meaning, he hasn't been a Congressman since January 3rd, 2007.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the American football player, see Randall Cunningham. For the Disney animated series, see Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja.
Duke Cunningham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 50th district
In office
January 3, 2003 – November 28, 2005
(Cunningham resigned midterm after pleading guilty to fraud and other felonies.)
Preceded byBob Filner
Succeeded byBrian Bilbray
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 51st district
In office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byBob Filner
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 44th district
In office
January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1993
Preceded byJim Bates
Succeeded byAl McCandless
Personal details
Born
Randall Harold Cunningham

(1941-12-08) December 8, 1941 (age 82)
Los Angeles, California
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Susan Albrecht
​
​
(m. 1965; div. 1973)​

Nancy Jones
​
(m. 1974)​
AwardsNavy Cross
Silver Star (2)
Purple Heart
"Flying Ace" status
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1967–1987
Rank Commander
Battles/warsVietnam War

Randall Harold Cunningham (born December 8, 1941), usually known as Randy or Duke, is a United States Navy veteran and former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from California's 50th Congressional District from 1991 to 2005.

Cunningham resigned from the House on November 28, 2005, after pleading guilty to accepting at least $2.4 million in bribes and under-reporting his taxable income for 2004. He pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion. He was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison and was ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution.[1] On June 4, 2013, Cunningham completed his prison sentence and he currently lives in Arkansas.

Prior to his political career, Cunningham was an officer and pilot in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. Cunningham and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) William P. "Irish" Driscoll, working as a flight crew, became the only navy flying aces of the Vietnam War. He was one of the most highly decorated United States Navy pilots in the Vietnam War, receiving the Navy Cross once, the Silver Star twice, the Air Medal 15 times, and the Purple Heart . Following the war, Cunningham became an instructor at the U.S. Navy's Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN, and commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 126 (VF-126), a shore-based adversary squadron at NAS Miramar, California.[2]

Family

Cunningham was born in Los Angeles to Randall and Lela Cunningham in December 1941. His father was a truck driver for Union Oil at the time.[3] Around 1945, the family moved to Fresno, California, where Cunningham's father purchased a gas station. In 1953 they moved to rural Shelbina, Missouri, where his parents purchased and managed the Cunningham Variety Store, a five-and-dime.[4][5]

Cunningham married his first wife, the former Susan Albrecht, in 1965; they met in college and had one adopted son. Susan filed for divorce and a restraining order in January 1973, based on her claims of emotional abuse, and the divorce was granted nine months later.[6] Cunningham later stated that his life hit "rock-bottom" in that year.[7]

In 1973, he met Dan McKinnon, a publisher and son of former Congressman Clinton D. McKinnon who encouraged him to turn his life around.[7][8]

Cunningham married his second wife, Nancy Jones in 1974.[5] In 1976, she filed for divorce and a restraining order, stating that he "is a very aggressive spontaneously assaultive person, and I fear for my immediate physical safety and wellbeing". Nancy later requested that the court dismiss the divorce request in January 1977. They have two daughters.

Education and military service

June 1972 – Lieutenant Cunningham (second from left) in a ceremony honoring him and Lieutenant (JG) William P. Driscoll (third from left), the Navy's only Vietnam War air "Aces". On the left is John Warner, then Secretary of the Navy, and on the right is Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, then Chief of Naval Operations.

Cunningham graduated from Shelbina High School in 1959. He attended Kirksville Teacher's College for one year before transferring to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Cunningham graduated with a bachelor's degree in education and physical education in 1964; he obtained his M.A. in education the following year. He was hired as a physical education teacher and swimming coach at Hinsdale Central High School where he stayed for one year. Two members of his swim team competed in the 1968 Olympics, where they earned a gold and a silver medal. Cunningham joined the United States Navy in 1967.[5]

During his service, Cunningham and his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) "Irish" Driscoll became the only Navy aces in the Vietnam War, flying an F-4 Phantom II from aboard aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64). He and Driscoll recorded five aerial victories against North Vietnamese MiG-21 and MiG-17 aircraft between January and May 1972, including three kills in one flight (earning them the Navy Cross).

In the final engagement, Cunningham downed a MiG-17 which was supposedly piloted by North Vietnam Air Force fighter ace Col. Nguyen Toon, aka, "Colonel Tomb". "Colonel Tomb" was actually a myth, loosely based on a North Vietnamese Air Force pilot from the 921st Fighter Regiment named Nguyen Van Coc[9] who was credited with 9 aerial victories, as well as photographs of a MiG-21 (number 4326) adorned with 13 air combat kills, which had been circulated in numerous western publications during the late 1960s. Like their US counterparts, North Vietnamese aircraft were flown by several pilots within the 921st Fighter Regiment, including Van Coc.[10]

While returning to the carrier after the final shoot-down, Cunningham and Driscoll were forced to eject from their F-4 over water near Nam Dinh, and were subsequently rescued by Navy helicopter.

After returning from Vietnam in 1972, Cunningham became an instructor at the US Navy's Fighter Weapons School TOPGUN at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego,[2] where he was reportedly almost court-martialed for allegedly breaking into his commanding officer's office to compare his record and fitness reports with those of his colleagues – a charge denied by Cunningham, but supported by two of his superior officers at the time.[2][11] He subsequently served tours with VF-154, United States Seventh Fleet, and as Executive Officer/Commanding Officer of the shore-based adversary squadron VF-126. In 1985, Cunningham earned an MBA from National University. In 1987, he was featured on the PBS broadcast of the NOVA special "Top Gun And Beyond", during which he recounted his engagement with the North Vietnamese fighter pilot thought to be "Colonel Tomb". He retired from the Navy with the final rank of Commander in 1987, settling in Del Mar, a suburb of San Diego. He became nationally known as a CNN commentator on naval aircraft in the run-up to the Persian Gulf War.[12]

Political career

Congressman Cunningham at TOPGUN, 1991.

Cunningham's visibility as a CNN commentator led several Republican leaders to approach him about running in what was then the 44th District, one of four that divided San Diego. The district had been held for eight years by Democrat Jim Bates, and was considered the most Democratic district in the San Diego area. However, Bates was bogged down in a scandal involving charges of sexual harassment. Cunningham won the Republican nomination in 1990 and hammered Bates about the scandal, promising to be "a congressman we can be proud of." He won by just one percentage point, giving Republicans full representation of the San Diego area for only the second time since the city was split into two districts after the 1960 census.

Cunningham's status as a Vietnam War hero made him a sought after source, by colleagues and the media, in the debate on whether to use military force against Iraq in the lead up to the first Gulf War.[11] Guy Vander Jagt of Michigan, longtime chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said that Cunningham had considerable "drawing power" and was treated as a celebrity by his fellow Republicans.[13]

After the 1990 census, redistricting renumbered the 44th District as the 51st and created the 50th District, splitting off a significant portion of San Diego County. At the same time, the 51st added several areas of heavily Republican North San Diego County. The new district included the home of Bill Lowery, a fellow Republican who had represented most of the other side of San Diego for the past 12 years. They faced one another in the Republican primary. Despite Lowery's seniority, his involvement in the House banking scandal hurt him. As polls showed Cunningham with a substantial lead, Lowery dropped out of the primary race, effectively handing Cunningham the nomination. He breezed to victory in November.

Even though the district (renumbered as the 50th after the 2000 census) was not nearly as conservative as the other two Republican-held districts in the San Diego area, Cunningham was reelected six times with no less than 55 percent of the vote.

Cunningham was a member of the Appropriations and Intelligence committees, and chaired the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Human Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence during the 109th Congress. He was considered a leading Republican expert on national security issues. He was also a champion of education, using his position on the Appropriations Education Subcommittee to steer federal dollars to schools in San Diego. After surgery for prostate cancer in 1998, he became a champion of early testing for the disease.

Cunningham was known for making intemperate outbursts. For example:

  • Making a comment about gay Congressman Barney Frank, where he called the rectal examination for prostate cancer "just not natural, unless maybe you're Barney Frank".[14]
  • Displaying his middle finger to a constituent and "for emphasis, [shouting] the two-word meaning of his one-finger salute" during an argument over military spending.[11][15]
  • Suggesting that the Democratic House leadership should be "lined up and shot" – a call he'd previously made about Vietnam War protesters.[11]
  • Referring to gay soldiers as "homos" on the floor of the House of Representatives when he said backers of an environmental amendment were "... the same people that would ... put homos in the military."[14] Congresswoman Pat Schroeder asked if he would yield the floor, but Cunningham told her, "No, I will not." When then-Congressman Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, attempted to object, Cunningham said, "Sit down, you socialist."[16] He later apologized for his comments.[14] After Cunningham yielded, Schroeder asked if she had "to call the gentleman a gentleman if he's not one."

While Cunningham said that "I cut my own rudder" on issues,[11] he had a very conservative voting record.[17] He was often compared by liberal interest groups to former congressman Bob Dornan, with some justification; both were ardent conservatives, both were former military pilots, and both had become infamous for outbursts against perceived enemies. In 1992, Cunningham, along with Dornan and fellow San Diego Republican Duncan Hunter, challenged the patriotism of then-Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton before a near-empty House chamber, but still viewed by C-SPAN viewers.[11]

In September 1996 Cunningham criticized President Clinton for appointing judges who were "soft on crime". "We must get tough on drug dealers," he said, adding that "those who peddle destruction on our children must pay dearly".[18] He favored stiff drug penalties[19] and voted for the death penalty for major drug dealers.[20]

Four months later, his son Todd was arrested for helping to transport 400 pounds (180 kg) of marijuana from Texas to Indiana. Todd Cunningham pleaded guilty to possession and conspiracy to sell marijuana.[21] At his son's sentencing hearing, Cunningham fought back tears as he begged the judge for leniency (Todd was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, in part because he tested positive for cocaine three times while on bail).[20] Cunningham's press secretary responded to accusations of double standards with: "The sentence Todd got had nothing to do with who Duke is. Duke has always been tough on drugs and remains tough on drugs."[19]

Legislative achievements

Cunningham was the lead sponsor of the Shark Finning Prohibition Act, which banned the practice of shark finning in all US waters and pushed America to the lead on efforts to ban shark finning worldwide. For his efforts Cunningham was named as a "Conservation Hero" by the Audubon Society and the Ocean Wildlife Campaign.

Cunningham co-sponsored, along with Democrat John Murtha, the so-called "Flag Desecration Amendment", which would add the following sentence to the Constitution of the United States

"The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the Flag of the United States."

The proposed amendment has passed the House many times, but narrowly missed the requisite 2/3 majority vote for passage in the Senate.

Cunningham was the driving force behind the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act which was passed and signed into law by President George W. Bush in July 2004. The law grants the authority to non-federal law enforcement officers from any jurisdiction to carry a firearm anywhere within the jurisdiction of the United States.

Scandals and corruption

Scan of a document submitted as evidence by the prosecution and included in their February 2006 sentencing memorandum against Cunningham, penned by his own hand on his own Congressional office stationery for the benefit of "co-conspirator#2" (defense contractor Mitchell Wade). The left column lists millions of dollars of government contracts; the right column lists the thousands of dollars in bribes required to secure them. The figures in the right column are increases; e.g. $50,000 in bribes would mean the difference between $18 million and $19 million of awarded contracts. "BT" is an abbreviation for "Buoy Toy" – a 42-foot Carver yacht that was financed by Wade in exchange for $16 million in contracts. Cunningham renamed it the "Duke-stir".

Allegations

In June 2005, a story appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune by Marcus Stern and Jerry Kammer, who would later receive a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting. The story revealed that a defense contractor, Mitchell Wade, founder of the defense contracting firm MZM Inc. (since renamed Athena Innovative Solutions Inc.), bought Cunningham's house in Del Mar in 2003 for $1,675,000. A month later, Wade placed it back on the market where it remained unsold for 8 months until the price was reduced to $975,000. Cunningham was a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee at the time. Soon after the purchase, Wade's company began to receive tens of millions of dollars worth of defense and intelligence contracts. Cunningham claimed the deal was legitimate, adding, "I feel very confident that I haven't done anything wrong."[22]

Later in June, it was further reported that Cunningham lived rent-free on a yacht aptly named the "Duke Stir" while he was in Washington. The yacht was owned by Wade; Cunningham paid only for maintenance.[23] An article in The San Diego Union Tribune reported that Cunningham liked to invite women to his yacht. Two of them said that he would change into pajama bottoms and a turtleneck sweater to entertain them with chilled champagne by the light of his lava lamp.[24]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation regarding the real estate transaction. His home, MZM corporate offices, and Wade's home were all simultaneously raided by several federal agencies with warrants on July 1, 2005.[25]

On July 14, 2005 Cunningham announced he would not run for a ninth term in 2006, saying that while he believed he'd be cleared of any wrongdoing, he could not defend himself and run for reelection at the same time. He admitted to displaying "poor judgment" when he sold his house to Wade.[26]

Besides Wade, the three other co-conspirators were: Brent R. Wilkes, founder of San Diego-based ADCS Inc.; New York businessman Thomas Kontogiannis; and John T. Michael, Kontogiannis' nephew and the owner of a New York-based mortgage company, Coastal Capital Corp. Property records show the company made $1.15 million in real estate loans to Cunningham, two of which were used in the purchase of his Rancho Santa Fe mansion. Court records show that Wade paid off one of those loans.[27]

In 1997, Cunningham had pushed the Pentagon into buying a $20 million document-digitization system created by ADCS Inc., one of several defense companies owned by Wilkes. The Pentagon did not want to buy the system. When it had not done so three years later, Cunningham angrily demanded the firing of Lou Kratz, an assistant undersecretary of defense Cunningham held responsible for the delays.[13] It later emerged that Wilkes reportedly gave Cunningham more than $630,000 in cash and favors.[28]

Cunningham was also criticized for selling merchandise on his personal website,[29] such as a $595 Buck knife featuring the official Congressional seal.[30][31] He failed to obtain permission to use the seal, which is a federal offense.[32]

On April 27, 2006, months after his guilty plea, The Wall Street Journal reported that, in addition to all the favors, gifts and money Cunningham received from defense contractors who wanted his help in obtaining contracts, Cunningham may have been provided with prostitutes, hotel rooms and limousines.[33]

Duke Cunningham
Occupation(s)Politician, former Congressman
Criminal statusReleased
Criminal chargeConspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion
Penalty100 months (8 years, 4 months) imprisonment

Plea agreement

On November 28, 2005, Cunningham pleaded guilty to tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud in federal court in San Diego. Among the many bribes Cunningham admitted receiving were the house sale at an inflated price, the free use of the yacht, a used Rolls-Royce, antique furniture, Persian rugs, jewelry, and a $2,000 contribution for his daughter's college graduation party.[34] Cunningham's attorney, Mark Holscher, later said that the government's evidence was so overwhelming that he had no choice but to recommend a guilty plea.[35] With the plea bargain, Cunningham faced a maximum of 10 years; had he fought the charges, Cunningham risked spending the rest of his life in prison.

As part of his guilty plea, Cunningham agreed to forfeit his $2.55 million home in Rancho Santa Fe, which he bought with the proceeds of the sale of the Del Mar house. Cunningham initially tried to sell the Rancho Santa Fe house, but federal prosecutors moved to block the sale after finding evidence it was purchased with Wade's money. (Wade, with others, even paid off the balance Cunningham owed on the mortgage.) Cunningham will also forfeit more than $1.8 million in cash, antiques, rugs, and other items.

Also as part of the plea agreement, Cunningham agreed to help the government in its prosecution of others involved in the defense contractor bribery scandal.

Resignation

Cunningham announced that he would resign from the House at a press conference just after entering his plea. In marked contrast to his defiant stand earlier in the year, Cunningham appeared very contrite, sullen and overcome by emotion when he read his prepared statement announcing that he was stepping down:

When I announced several months ago that I would not seek re-election, I publicly declared my innocence because I was not strong enough to face the truth. So, I misled my family, staff, friends, colleagues, the public – even myself. For all of this, I am deeply sorry. The truth is – I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my high office. I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, and most importantly, the trust of my friends and family. ... In my life, I have known great joy and great sorrow. And now I know great shame. I learned in Viet Nam that the true measure of a man is how he responds to adversity. I cannot undo what I have done. But I can atone. I am now almost 65 years old and, as I enter the twilight of my life, I intend to use the remaining time that God grants me to make amends.[36]

Cunningham submitted his official resignation letter to the Clerk of the House and to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on December 6, 2005.[37]

Sentencing and prison

United States Penitentiary, Tucson, where Cunningham was located

On March 3, 2006, U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns sentenced Cunningham to eight years and four months in prison.[1] Federal prosecutors pushed for the maximum sentence of ten years, but Cunningham's defense lawyers argued that at 64 years old and with prostate cancer, Cunningham would likely die in prison if he received the full sentence.[38][39] Judge Burns cited his military service in Vietnam, age, and health as the reason the full ten years was not imposed. Prosecutors announced that they were satisfied with the sentence, which is the longest jail term ever given to a former Congressman.[40]

On the day of sentencing, Cunningham was 90 pounds (41 kg) lighter than when allegations first surfaced 9 months earlier. After receiving his sentence, Cunningham made a request to see his 91-year-old mother one last time before going to prison. "I made a very wrong turn. I rationalized decisions I knew were wrong. I did that, sir," Cunningham said. The request was denied, and Burns remanded him immediately upon rendering the sentence.[41] Cunningham was incarcerated in the minimum security satellite camp at the U.S. Penitentiary at Tucson, Arizona[42] with a scheduled release date of June 4, 2013.[43] He spent his time at the prison teaching fellow inmates to obtain their GED,[44] as well as advocating for prison reform.[45]

Despite his guilty plea, Cunningham received pensions for his 21 years of U.S. Navy service and almost 15 years in Congress. However, prosecutors were successful in garnishing them for back taxes and penalties.[46] In June 2010, Cunningham submitted a handwritten three-page letter to sentencing Judge Larry Burns, complaining that the IRS was 'killing' him by seizing all his remaining savings and his Congressional and Navy pensions, penalties he feels were not warranted under his plea agreement. Burns wrote back in August 2010, stating that the agency was collecting back taxes, interest, and penalties on the bribes Cunningham received in 2003 and 2004; thus, there was no action for Burns to take.[47]

In April 2011, Cunningham sent a ten-page typewritten document pleading his case to USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Talking Points Memo, and San Diego CityBeat. He titled the document "The Untold Story of Duke Cunningham".[48] In the document, Cunningham says that because Judge Larry A. Burns has declared his case closed, he is now offering to speak to the media, which have "inundated" him with inquiries since 2004. According to CityBeat, in the statement, Cunningham claims that he was "doped up on sedatives" and made his plea knowing that it was "90 to 95% untrue".[49][50]

Release from prison

Cunningham was released to a halfway house in New Orleans[46] in February 2013. On June 4, 2013, he was completely released from confinement.[51] Cunningham told a federal judge that he planned to live in Arkansas and that he would live on $1,700 a month.[52] In his letter, Cunningham pleaded for a gun permit, saying he longed to hunt in Arkansas. The judge denied the request as being beyond the scope of his authority, citing the law that limits gun permits for convicted criminals – a law that Cunningham voted for while in Congress.[53] In an interview he indicated he might move to Florida to write his memoirs.[52]

Reactions to the scandal

Darrell Issa, a Republican who represents the neighboring 49th District, said after Cunningham's plea that he'd been waiting for Cunningham to explain his behavior "in a way that made sense to us" and that Cunningham's behavior "fell below the standard the public demands of its elected representatives".[54]

Francine Busby, Cunningham's Democratic challenger in 2004 and the Democratic candidate for the 50th District in the runoff election to fill Cunningham's vacancy, called November 28 "a sad day for the people" and called for support for her proposed ethics reform bill, the "Clean House Act", saying that "our government in Washington is broken."[55]

In an editorial on November 29, the Washington Post called the Cunningham affair "the most brazen bribery conspiracy in modern congressional history".[56] Later that day, President George W. Bush called Cunningham's actions "outrageous" at a press briefing in El Paso. He also said that Cunningham should "pay a serious price" for his crimes.[35] House Speaker Dennis Hastert said in a December 6 statement that Cunningham was a "war hero"; but that he broke "the public trust he has built through his military and congressional career".[57]

On February 9, 2006, Senator John Kerry introduced a bill, the "Federal Pension Forfeiture Act" (nicknamed the "Duke Cunningham Act"), to prevent lawmakers who have been convicted of official misconduct from collecting taxpayer funded pensions.[58] The bill died in committee.

Aftermath

  • Almost as soon as Cunningham pled guilty, Intelligence Committee chairman Pete Hoekstra of Michigan announced his panel would investigate whether Cunningham used his post on that committee to steer contracts to favored companies. Hoekstra said that Cunningham "no longer gets the benefit of the doubt" due to his admission to "very, very serious" crimes.[59]
  • On January 6, 2006 Time reported that Cunningham cooperated with law enforcement by wearing a concealed recording device (a "wire") while meeting with associates prior to his guilty plea. It is not known whom he met with while wired, but there was speculation Cunningham's misdeeds were not isolated instances and his case would reveal a larger web of corruption.[60]
  • In February 2006 Mitchell Wade pleaded guilty to paying Cunningham more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for millions more in government contracts.[61]
  • In March 2006, it was revealed that CIA officials opened an investigation into the CIA's No. 3 official, Kyle Foggo, and his relationship with Wilkes, "one of his closest friends", according to the article. Foggo said that all of the contracts he oversaw were properly awarded and administered.[62] On May 12, FBI officials raided the Vienna, Virginia, home of Foggo in connection with the scandal.[63] In February 2007, Foggo was charged with fraud and other offenses in the Cunningham corruption investigation. The indictment also named Wilkes and John T. Michael.
  • In November 2010, Wilkes' lawyers filed documents in court in a bid to gain a re-trial that included statements from Cunningham saying "Wilkes never bribed me."[64] Cunningham is quoted as saying any meals, trips or gifts from Wilkes to him were merely gifts between long-time friends, not bribes. Cunningham also stated that he had been coached by prosecutors to avoid responding to questions where his version of the facts differed from the prosecutors' theory. Cunningham also denied having made statements attributed to him by federal agents and prosecutors. Notably he denied having sex with any prostitute on a trip to Hawaii and explained that at the time he was impotent due to treatment for prostate cancer.
  • A special election to fill the vacancy left by Cunningham took place on April 11, 2006 between Democrat Francine Busby and Republican Brian Bilbray. No candidate obtained the majority necessary to win outright, so a runoff election was held. Bilbray won the runoff, narrowly defeating Busby.[65] Bilbray beat Busby again in the regular election in November and retained his seat in the House until losing to Democrat Scott Peters in 2012.[66]
  • On April 17, the staffs of The San Diego Union-Tribune and Copley News Service were awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for their investigative work in uncovering Cunningham's crimes.[67]
  • Four reporters from the Union-Tribune and its parent Copley News Service, who had written the stories that launched the Cunningham investigation, published a book called The Wrong Stuff: The extraordinary saga of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, the most corrupt congressman ever caught.[68][69]

References

  1. ^ a b Perry, Tony (2006-03-03). "Cunningham Receives Eight-Year Sentence". Los Angeles Times. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ a b c Alex Roth (January 15, 2006). "Shooting down Cunningham's legend". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. ^ California Birth certificate 41-118503
  4. ^ Pae, Peter; Tony Perry; Richard Simon (2005-12-09). "Hard-charging Cunningham fell from a lofty perch". Los Angeles Times. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on November 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Defendant Cunningham's Sentencing Memorandum, Case 05-CR-2137 (LAB), February 2005" (PDF). March 3, 2006. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Dodge, Dani (2006-02-12). "Standing in an unwelcome spotlight". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Dodge, Dani (2006-02-12). "On ranch, old friend again offers shelter from storm". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. B-1. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  8. ^ Cunningham, Randy; Jeffrey L. Ethell (1989-03-01) [1983]. Fox Two: The Story of America's First Ace in Vietnam. Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-35458-9.
  9. ^ Toperczer, Ivan (2001). MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War. Osprey Publishing Limited. p. 34, plate 5. ISBN 978-1-84176-263-0.
  10. ^ Toperczer, p. 91, plate 5.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Braun, Gerry (2005-07-15). "Ex-Navy ace always ready for a fight". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-9. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  12. ^ Rossi, Melissa L. (2007). What Every American Should Know about Who's Really Running America. Penguin Group. p. 28. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  13. ^ a b Pae, Peter; Perry, Tony; Simon, Richard (2005-12-05). "Cunningham's Fall From Grace, Power". Los Angeles Times. p. A-1. Archived from the original on March 27, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-05. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b c Chibbaro Jr., Lou (2003-07-04). "Birch denies speech outed anti-gay congressman". Washington Blade. Archived from the original on July 25, 2004. Retrieved 2005-12-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Wilkie, Dana (1998-09-09). "Cunningham account of vulgar gesture disputed". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2006-04-24.
  16. ^ "Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78". United States Government Printing Office. 11 May 1995. p. H4837. OCLC 2437919. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  17. ^ "Duke Cunningham on the Issues". On The Issues. Retrieved 2006-02-19.
  18. ^ Cunningham, Randy "Duke" (1996-09-24). "A call to arms against youth drug abuse". The San Diego Union-Tribune. pp. B–6–7. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2006-05-07.
  19. ^ a b Schlosser, Eric (2007-12-05). "The Politics Of Pot: A Government In Denial". Rolling Stone. OCLC 1787396. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b Murphy, Bill (1998-11-18). "Randall Cunningham gets 2 1/2 years for smuggling marijuana". The San Diego Union-Tribune. pp. B–1, B-10. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  21. ^ Powell, Ronald W. (2006-02-20). "In disgrace, but not all alone". The San Diego Union-Tribune. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  22. ^ Stern, Marcus (2005-06-12). "Lawmaker's home sale questioned". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  23. ^ Bennett, William Finn (2005-06-16). "Yacht 'Duke Stir' owned by defense contractor docked at Cunningham's slip". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Archived from the original on December 11, 2009. Retrieved 2005-06-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Condon Jr., George E. (2005-12-01). "Congressman's betrayal of troops called greatest sin". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-21. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  25. ^ Walker, Mark (2005-07-01). "Feds raid Cunningham home, MZM offices and boat". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved 2005-07-05. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Bennett, William Finn (2005-07-14). "Cunningham says he will step down at end of term". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Retrieved 2006-04-27.[dead link‍]
  27. ^ Bennett, William Finn (2006-03-06). "What's next in Cunningham bribery saga?". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Retrieved 2006-03-07.[dead link‍]
  28. ^ Calbreath, Dean; Kammer, Jerry (2005-12-04). "Contractor 'knew how to grease the wheels'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  29. ^ Archived 2004-10-10 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ Archived 2004-11-05 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ Walker, Mark (2005-06-29). "Use of congressional seal on knife questioned". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Retrieved 2006-04-23.[dead link‍]
  32. ^ 18 U.S.C. § 713e: Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the seals of the President and Vice President, the seal of the United States Senate, the seal of the United States House of Representatives, and the seal of the United States Congress
  33. ^ Patrow, Scot J. (2006-04-27). "Prosecutors May Widen Congressional-Bribe Case; Cunningham Is Suspected Of Asking for Prostitutes; Were Others Involved?". The Wall Street Journal. p. A-6. OCLC 4299067. Retrieved 2006-05-01.(subscription required)
  34. ^ "Plea Agreement by Cunningham and the U.S. Attorney". 2005. Retrieved 2005-12-05.
  35. ^ a b Soto, Onell R. (2005-11-30). "'Overwhelming case' forced Cunningham to accept deal". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  36. ^ "Statement by Cunningham" (PDF) (Press release). O'Melveny & Myers. November 28, 2005. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  37. ^ Cantlupe, Joe (2005-12-06). "Cunningham resignation formally submitted to House". The San Diego Union-Tribune. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  38. ^ Walker, Mark (2006-02-18). "Feds seek 10-year prison term for Cunningham". North County Times. OCLC 34056580.
  39. ^ Walker, Mark (2006-02-18). "Defense: 'Duke' may die in prison". North County Times. OCLC 34056580.
  40. ^ "Crooked congressman going to prison". CNN. 2006-03-03. Retrieved 2006-03-03.
  41. ^ Hettena, Seth (2006-03-03). "Former Congressman Gets Eight-Plus Years". Associated Press.
  42. ^ "Cunningham Moving to Arizona Prison". The Washington Post. 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  43. ^ "Inmate Locator: Randall Harold Cunningham". Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved August 15, 2010.[dead link‍]
  44. ^ "From Tucson With Love: Checking in with Duke Cunningham halfway through his federal prison sentence". San Diego CityBeat. August 11, 2010.
  45. ^ "City Beat: Duke Cunningham becomes an educator behind bars". The San Diego Union-Tribune. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  46. ^ a b Gene Cubbison. "Former U.S. Rep. "Duke" Cunningham Sprung from Lockup in Bribery Schemes". NBC News San Diego. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  47. ^ Rachel Slajda (2010-09-08). "Duke Cunningham To Judge: You And The IRS 'Have Killed Me'". Tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  48. ^ Moran, Greg (April 7, 2011). "Duke Cunningham pleads case from prison". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  49. ^ Maass, Dave (April 6, 2011). "'The Untold Story of Duke Cunningham'". San Diego CityBeat. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  50. ^ Cunningham, Randy "Duke" (March 2011). "Untold Story of Duke Cunningham PDF" (PDF). San Diego CityBeat. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  51. ^ "Duke Cunningham Completes Prison Sentence". NBC San Diego. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  52. ^ a b "Former Rep Duke Cunningham Completes Prison Sentence". The Associated Press. June 4, 2013. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ AP article June 4, 2013 by Elliot Spagat
  54. ^ "Rep. Issa Statement On Cunningham Guilty Plea" (Press release). Office of Congressman Darrell Issa. 2005-11-28. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved 2006-02-19. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  55. ^ "Francine Busby calls Cunningham Resignation "Sad day for the people"" (Press release). Francine Busby for Congress. 2005-11-28.
  56. ^ Editorial (2005-11-29). "Brazen Conspiracy". The Washington Post. p. A-20. Retrieved 2005-11-30.
  57. ^ Walker, Mark (2005-12-06). "House speaker says Cunningham faces 'serious consequences'". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Retrieved 2006-02-19.[dead link‍]
  58. ^ Klein, Rick (2006-02-09). "Kerry bill to target legislators convicted of misconduct". The Boston Globe. p. A-8. OCLC 1536853. Retrieved 2006-02-09.
  59. ^ Miller, Greg (2005-11-30). "House Intelligence Panel to Probe Cunningham". Los Angeles Times. OCLC 3638237.
  60. ^ Burger, Timothy J. (2006-01-06). "Disgraced Congressman 'Wore a Wire'". Time. OCLC 1767509. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  61. ^ Lewis, Finlay; Kammer, Jerry; Cantlupe, Joe (2006-02-25). "Contractor admits bribing Cunningham". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  62. ^ Bennett, William Finn (2006-03-06). "What's next in Cunningham bribery saga?". North County Times. Retrieved 2006-03-07.[dead link‍]
  63. ^ Mark Mazzetti; David Johnston (2006-05-13). "C.I.A. Aide's House and Office Searched". The New York Times. p. A-10. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  64. ^ "Cunningham says he didn't take bribes from contractor". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  65. ^ LaVelle, Philip J.; Dani Dodge (2006-06-07). "Bilbray edges out Busby". The San Diego Union-Tribune. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  66. ^ Britton, Joe; Thorne, Joyce (2006-11-08). "Bilbray defeats Busby". North County Times. OCLC 34056580. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved 2006-11-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  67. ^ McDonald, Jeff (2006-04-18). "U-T, Copley News win Pulitzer Prize". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. A-1. OCLC 55506628. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  68. ^ "Marcus Stern: On the Trail of Congressional Corruption". Fresh Air. WHYY. May 23, 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  69. ^ Stern, Marcus; Kammer, Jerry; Calbreath, Dean; Condon, George E., Jr. (2007). The Wrong Stuff: The extraordinary saga of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, the most corrupt congressman ever caught. Public Affairs, a member of the Perseus Books Group. ISBN 1586484796.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Duke Cunningham.
Wikinews has related news:

Documents

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 44th congressional district
1991–1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
District created
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 51st congressional district
1993–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 50th congressional district
2003–2005 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Duke_Cunningham&oldid=716955667"