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Former Congressman Cunningham Seeks Clemency

Former San Diego Congressman Randy Cunningham wants the president to grant him clemency. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.

Former San Diego Congressman Randy Cunningham wants the president to grant him clemency. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.

Cunningham is currently serving an eight year four month prison term for accepting millions of dollars in bribes from defense contractors. It is arguably the worst case of corruption involving a congressman in the nation's history.

U.S. Justice Department officials confirm that Cunningham has submitted a petition to commute his sentence. Government officials offered no other information.

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The former republican lawmaker admitted in November 2005 that he accepted nearly two and a half million dollars in cash, trips, prostitute services and other gifts. In exchange he admitted steering millions of dollars worth of government contracts to the contractors.

Brian Bilbray replaced Cunningham in congress. He says there's no reason to let Cunningham out of jail.

Erik Anderson KPBS News.