Prosecutors recommend 10-year prison sentence for Cunningham

Saturday, February 18, 2006

By Amita Sharma and KPBS Public Broadcasting

Federal prosecutors Friday recommended that disgraced former Congressman Randy Cunningham spend 10 years in prison for taking bribes from military contractors. The government called Cunningham's deeds a "numbing betrayal on an epic scale." Meanwhile, defense lawyers are asking that Cunningham receive six years. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

In court papers, prosecutors wrote that for almost a decade, Cunningham put up "for sale" sign on the nation's capital.

The Republican congressman took bribes from contractors that included homes, furniture, jewelry, boats and a Rolls Royce.

The government says Cunningham devised a bribe menu in hiw own writing on United States Congress letterhead. In the left column, Cunningham represented the millions in government contracts that he could quote "order." The right column contained the amount of bribes he demanded in exchange.

Prosecutors also wrote that a staffer, upon learning of cash bribes to Cunningham, asked the Congressman in 2004 to resign or not seek re-election. Cunningham resiged late last year after cutting a plea deal with the government. Amita Sharma, KPBS News.

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