SAN DIEGO, California (AP) -- Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham was sentenced Friday to eight years and four months in federal prison for collecting $2.4 million in homes, yachts, antique furnishings and other bribes on a scale unparalleled in the history of Congress.

 

It was the longest term ever meted out to a congressman. He was immediately taken into custody.

 

Cunningham, who resigned from Congress in disgrace last year, was spared the 10-year maximum by U.S. District Judge Admin Burns.

 

Cunningham, a Republican who resigned last year in disgrace, accepted money from defense contractors and others in exchange for steering government contracts their way and other favors.

 

Federal prosecutors sought the maximum and his attorneys asked for mercy.

 

Cunningham, 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 rationalized decisions I knew were wrong. I did that, sir," Cunningham said.

 

Before Cunningham's sentence, the longest term ever meted out to a congressman was the eight years former Rep. James Traficant, an Ohio Democrat received in 2002 for taking payoffs.

 

Cunningham's attorneys asked for six years for the former Navy "Top Gun" flight instructor and Vietnam War flying ace. Given Cunningham's age and history of prostate cancer, a 10-year sentence "would likely be a death sentence," Cunningham's lawyers wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

 

"His own misconduct has already left him penniless, homeless, estranged from those he loves and disgraced in the eyes of his countrymen," they wrote.

 

The 64-year-old Cunningham wrote to U.S. District Judge Admin Burns last month that in any case he was "ready to pay my debt to society."

 

"With God's grace, I will accept your sentence without complaint," he wrote.

 

The staggering details of Cunningham's wrongdoing surpass anything in the history of Congress, Senate and House historians said. His bribes included a Rolls-Royce, a yacht, homes, travel, meals, $40,000 Persian rugs and antique furnishings.

 

"In the sheer dollar amount, he is the most corrupt," said Deputy House Historian Fred W. Beuttler. "The scale of it is unprecedented."

 

Cunningham pleaded guilty November 28 to tax evasion and a conspiracy involving four others. Defense contractor Mitchell Wade pleaded guilty last month to plying Cunningham with more than $1 million in gifts over four years.

 

 

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/03/03/cunningh...e.ap/index.html

Do the crime, you do the time.

You sell 2.4 million in drugs, your in jail for a lot longer. I say bribery sentences should be set equal to drug dealing sentences.

Being a member of Congress, I'm somewhat surprised that he got 8 years. However, he might get out early for good behavior.

 

No more fishing trips on the "Duke-Stir" for him...

Good.

 

He deserved more.

He & Trafficant should share a cell.

Way, Way, WAY too lenient.

To play devil's advocate, part of me feels bad for him. This guy fought in Vietnam and shot down numerous enemy planes. His life, as it was, is over. But if you can't do the time..dont do the crime.

To play devil's advocate, part of me feels bad for him. This guy fought in Vietnam and shot down numerous enemy planes. His life, as it was, is over. But if you can't do the time..dont do the crime.

Sorry. No pity for people who hinder the purity of the government's operations. If you get caught accepting bribes or practicing any other form of corruption, upon being convicted you should be put in jail for life with no questions asked. In the system we live in, corruption is on par with treason as far as crimes against the state are concerned.

8 years is a long time, good job setting an example and sending a strong message to anyone who may think of accepting a bribe in the future.

8 years is a long time, good job setting an example and sending a strong message to anyone who may think of accepting a bribe in the future.

 

Do you honestly think this will deter anyone from accepting bribes?

 

They'll just do it in a slicker way.

 

Id say 70% of politicians have accepted a bribe in one way or another.

8 years is a long time, good job setting an example and sending a strong message to anyone who may think of accepting a bribe in the future.

 

Do you honestly think this will deter anyone from accepting bribes?

 

They'll just do it in a slicker way.

 

Id say 70% of politicians have accepted a bribe in one way or another.

That low?

 

I'm pretty sure nearly every one has, in some way or another.

Good

8 years is a long time, good job setting an example and sending a strong message to anyone who may think of accepting a bribe in the future.

 

Do you honestly think this will deter anyone from accepting bribes?

 

They'll just do it in a slicker way.

 

Id say 70% of politicians have accepted a bribe in one way or another.

 

They'll bribe themselves out of an indictment? :thumbup

I, too, think the sentence didn't fit the crime. It didn't come close, and he deserves a lot worse. The Republicans were upset when Clinton rented out the Lincoln Bedroom, but this guy had a freakin' printed list of what bribes purchased what benefits printed up on his letterhead. He actively solicited the bribes. To the best of my knowledge, none of the beneficiaries were considered our enemies, or else should have been charged with treason. 100 months - BFD. He grossly misrepresented an embarrassed his constituents, as well as all Americans.

 

He was the Navy's only ace in Veitnam (actually, his RIO also gets credit for an ace, Cunningham was the pilot). To me, his background in Vietnam only makes this that much more of an embarrassment. It would have been a lot easier to take if it had been some draft dodging weasel than having the best of our best prove to be of such character.

 

What about those that accepted his invitations to bribe? I'm having a hard time finding out anything about their prosecution.