Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Cunningham pleads guilty to tax evasion

Yeah, I know I'm late to the party, but I have to celebrate...well, that's not the right word. More like shake my head in disgust. I just hope the American people are beginning to realize that these people do not represent their needs.

Cunningham pleads guilty to tax evasion
Reuters
LOS ANGELES - U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican, pleaded guilty on Monday to felony conspiracy and tax evasion for taking money from a defense contractor in exchange for help in securing Defense Department contracts.

Cunningham, 63, an eight-term Congressman and decorated Vietnam War veteran, had been under federal investigation for his ties to Washington-based defense contractor MZM Inc. since the summer.

In July he denied any wrongdoing but said he would not seek reelection in 2006. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27. He could be ordered to spend 10 years in prison and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

While there was no immediate word if Cunningham would resign from Congress, under House rules a member convicted of a felony loses the right to vote in the U.S. House of Representatives and in committee.

Cunningham's plea was entered at a San Diego federal court hearing following several months of investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the criminal investigative arm of the Pentagon, the FBI and federal prosecutors.

"Yes, your honor," Cunningham said when Judge Larry Burns asked him if he had accepted bribes.

Cunningham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and tax evasion. The last charge stemmed from the underreporting of his income in 2004.

Posted by crimnos @ 9:24 AM

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Take a look at what Josh Marshall's saying today and late yesterday. Apparently, part of the plea was that Cunningham would cooperate with prosecutors. Marshall who has been all over this story for a year, names names of some of those who might get nailed.

Rep Katherine Harris(yes, the lady from Fla 2000)

Rep Virgil Goode.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Mike

Posted by Blogger mikevotes @ 2:31 PM #
 

"Culture of Corruption." That's going to be the downfall of the Republicans this off year election but we still have to work VERY HARD to win back the Congress.

Posted by Blogger Handsome B. Wonderful @ 2:52 PM #
 
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