|
FORMER Rep Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who collected $2.4 million in homes, yachts, antique furnishings and other bribes on a scale unparalleled in the history of the US Congress, was sentenced Friday to eight years and four months in prison, the longest term meted out to a congressman in decades.
Cunningham, who resigned from Congress in disgrace last year, was spared the 10-year maximum by US District Judge Larry Burns. He also was ordered to pay $1.8 million (euro1.5 million) in restitution for back taxes.
Cunningham, a Republican, accepted money from defence contractors and others in exchange for steering government contracts their way and other favours.
The Cunningham case is one of several scandals involving Republican lawmakers that have left the party nervous about midterm elections in November that could return control of Congress to the Democrats. The investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff threatens to ensnare several members of Congress, and Rep. Tom DeLay, the former House Majority Leader, faces trial in Texas on money laundering charges.
Federal prosecutors sought the 10-year maximum and Cunningham's attorneys asked for mercy, but the former congressman, choking up as he addressed the judge, focused on accepting blame. "Your honor I have ripped my life to shreds due to my actions, my actions that I did to myself," he said.
"I made a very wrong turn. I rationalised decisions I knew were wrong. I did that, sir," Cunningham said.
Cunningham's attorney Lee Blalack asked for six years for the former Navy "Top Gun" flight instructor and Vietnam War flying ace.
Much thinner than when he pleaded guilty in November - Cunningham said he has gone from 265 pounds (119.25 kilograms) to 175 pounds (78.75 kilograms) since June - Cunningham asked to see his 91-year-old mother one last time and then "turn my life over at any time you should order."
The judge, while crediting Cunningham for his military service and for taking responsibility, questioned why he felt compelled to betray his constituents and his colleagues for luxuries such as a Rolls-Royce, a yacht and $40,000 Persian rugs.
"You weren't wet. You weren't cold. You weren't hungry and yet you did these things," Burns said. "I think what you've done is you've undermined the opportunity that honest politicians have to do a good job."
The longest term meted out to congressmen in the past four decades had been eight years, handed to former Rep. James Traficant, an Ohio Democrat, in 2002 for taking payoffs, and to former Rep. Mario Biaggi, a New York Democrat, in 1988 for extorting nearly $2 million from a defence contractor.
Prosecutor Phil Halpern told the judge that while Cunningham was living the good life "he was squandering precious tax dollars for, among other things, systems the military didn't ask for, didn't need and frequently didn't use."
Cunningham, 64, rubbed away tears while Blalack addressed the court. He appeared to be crying quietly when Blalack referred to his wartime service.
"There are men in this courtroom who are walking around and breathing because Duke Cunningham put his life at risk," Blalack said. "There is no doubt that all of the good that he did in those many years will be washed away."
The courtroom, which seats about 100, was packed. Among those in the gallery was Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter, chairman of House Armed Services Committee, whose district, like Cunningham's, is in the San Diego area.
Blalack said that given Cunningham's age and history of prostate cancer, "there is a significant likelihood" he would not survive a 10-year sentence, and that he already has suffered greatly.
"This man has been humiliated beyond belief by his own hand. He is estranged from those he loves most and cares most about," Blalack said. "All his worldly possessions are gone. He will carry a crushing tax debt until the day he dies. He will go to jail until he's 70 years old."
Prosecutor Jason A. Forge said Cunningham should not get a break for committing crimes late in life, and doubted his apparent remorse, pointing out that after the allegations emerged he spent months falsely denying them.
"The fact of the matter is Mr. Cunningham went down kicking and screaming. He did not plead guilty until his indictment was imminent," Forge said.
The staggering details of Cunningham's wrongdoing surpass anything in the history of Congress, Senate and House historians said. "In the sheer dollar amount, he is the most corrupt," said Deputy House Historian Fred W. Beuttler.
Cunningham pleaded guilty Nov. 28 to tax evasion and a conspiracy involving four others. Defence contractor Mitchell Wade pleaded guilty last month to plying Cunningham with more than $1 million in gifts over four years.
The defence submitted more than 40 letters to the court from friends, retired Navy pilots, colleagues and others who asked that Cunningham's transgressions be weighed against his contributions during his 20 years of military service and his 15 years in Congress.
His supporters included folk singer and anti-Vietnam War activist Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary, who wrote that he forged a friendship with Cunningham during their work on children's issues.
"I am still proud and will always be proud to call him my friend," Yarrow wrote.
|