A Poway defense contractor accused of bribing former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham is expected to begin making his defense today. Prosecutors wrapped up their case by calling two prostitutes who joined Cunningham and the defendant, Brent Wilkes, in a hot tub during a Hawaii vacation. Reporter Seth Hettena has more.
The two women were working for an escort service called Centerfolds of Hawaii when they were dispatched to an expensive guest cottage at a Hawaii hotel in August of 2003. When the two women arrived, Wilkes and Cunningham were smoking cigars in a Jacuzzi, and they asked the escorts if they wanted to get naked and join them in the hot tub.
One of the escorts described Cunningham as "the boisterous one" and found him somewhat overbearing. The two men fed the women grapes and Wilkes and Cunningham argued over who was going to get which woman. Escort Donna Rosetta testified that she followed Cunningham up to his room and had sex with him.
The former congressman tipped her between $50 and $80. Prosecutors say Wilkes paid $600 to supply escorts for Cunningham on two consecutive nights. For KPBS News, I'm Seth Hettena at the downtown courthouse.
