Poway Defense Contractor Convicted in Cunningham Scandal

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published November 6, 2007 at 8:52 AM PST

The verdict is in: Poway defense contractor Brent Wilkes has been convicted of 13 felonies for bribing former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. We'll get an update on the verdict with reporter Seth

Tom Fudge: A federal jury in San Diego yesterday found Brent Wilkes guilty of all charges related to his efforts to bribe Duke Cunningham. The Poway defense contractor was accused of bribing the former congressman with meals, trips, gifts, cash and mortgage payments. In return, Cunningham agreed to earmark federal funds to be paid to Wilkes' company. Cunningham also pressured the bureaucracy to steer contracts to Wilkes.

Wilkes' attorney says he'll seek to have the verdict overturned. In the meantime, the defendant faces 20 years in prison for his conviction on 13 felonies.

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Guest

Seth Hettena , freelance journalist and author of F easting on the Spoils: The Life and Times of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, History's most corrupt Congressman . Hettena has been covering the trial of alleged conspirator in the Cunningham corruption case for KPBS.