Tom Fudge: The trial of Brent Wilkes is in the hands of a jury. Wilkes is a Poway businessman and defense contractor accused of bribing former Congressman Duke Cunningham. The Congressman admitted to accepting more than two million dollars in bribes last year. In return, he secured government contracts for companies, like the one run by Wilkes, totaling millions of dollars.
This was the first time the Cunningham corruption case has gone to a jury. So far at least three people, including Cunningham, have entered guilty pleas. The Wilkes trial was remarkable for who testified and who did not. The defendant did take the stand, much to the apparent surprise of prosecutors. Two prostitutes testified. But Cunningham, himself, did not.
Guest
- Seth Hettena, freelance journalist and author of Feasting on the Spoils: The Life and Times of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, History's most corrupt Congressman .
