11/29/2005
Congressman Resigns After Plea Deal
(San Diego, CA) Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham said Monday he is resigning from Congress after pleading guilty to accepting more than $2 million in bribes in a criminal conspiracy involving defense contractors.
"I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office," he told reporters Monday. "But come on - $2 million is a lot of money. Can any of you stand here and tell me you wouldn't have taken that kind of money?"
Prosecutors said Cunningham had taken bribes from contractors, which allowed him to buy a yacht, a mansion, a suburban Washington condominium, and a Rolls Royce.
"That's a lot of cool stuff, man," he said. "How many of you are able to go apeshit like this? Answer: none. You know damn good and well that each and every one of you would have done the same thing."
Cunningham will have to forfeit his $2.5 million mansion and about $1.8 million in cash, antiques, furnishings and other valuables as part of the deal. The charges carry a potential penalty of 10 years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines.
"Oh, don't worry about me. You know I have at least twice that amount socked away in a Caymans bank account," said Cunningham. "Besides, I'll have no problem finding work as a consultant after taking the fall for this. They owe me big time."
"I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office," he told reporters Monday. "But come on - $2 million is a lot of money. Can any of you stand here and tell me you wouldn't have taken that kind of money?"
Prosecutors said Cunningham had taken bribes from contractors, which allowed him to buy a yacht, a mansion, a suburban Washington condominium, and a Rolls Royce.
"That's a lot of cool stuff, man," he said. "How many of you are able to go apeshit like this? Answer: none. You know damn good and well that each and every one of you would have done the same thing."
Cunningham will have to forfeit his $2.5 million mansion and about $1.8 million in cash, antiques, furnishings and other valuables as part of the deal. The charges carry a potential penalty of 10 years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines.
"Oh, don't worry about me. You know I have at least twice that amount socked away in a Caymans bank account," said Cunningham. "Besides, I'll have no problem finding work as a consultant after taking the fall for this. They owe me big time."