Cunningham, Randall Harold

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Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned in disgrace yesterday after admitting he took more than $2.4 million in bribes to help defense contractors land lucrative government contracts.
Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned in disgrace yesterday after admitting he took more than $2.4 million in bribes to help defense contractors land lucrative government contracts.
Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham is a Congressman we can be proud of.

Contents

Pentagon silent on inquiry into Cunningham contracts

It still isn't known if bribery tainted defense projects

04 August, 2006 WASHINGTON – Eight months after former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham confessed to taking massive bribes in exchange for providing at least $230 million in questionable defense and intelligence contracts, the Defense Department inspector general still has not determined whether any of those projects were improper.

This week, the Pentagon announced that it would not renew one contract related to the scandal. But officials have been tight-lipped about the status of other taxpayer-funded work that may have been tainted, including a secret counterintelligence program. In fact, although several other Defense Department public affairs personnel and a congressional press aide have said in the past that an investigation into the Cunningham-linked contracts was being conducted, the inspector general's spokesman said yesterday that “as a matter of policy, we do not confirm or deny the existence of ongoing investigations.”

“If one exists, it would be improper to comment,” Army Lt. Col. Brian Maka said. “Obviously, if one does not exist, there would be nothing to say.”

By Otto Kreisher COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

Cunningham adjusting to life at North Carolina prison

Former U.S. Rep. Randy Cunningham continues to adjust to life behind bars at a federal prison in North Carolina where he is said to be "steeling himself" for the years of incarceration he faces, according to his attorney.

"His state of mind is good in the sense that he is a man in prison," Blalack said in a telephone interview. "While that weighs heavy on him, he is adjusting to prison life and has done so reasonably quickly."

Cunningham was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison in March after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in San Diego to bribery and tax evasion. In the pleadings, he admitted taking more than $2.4 million in bribes and cheating on his taxes.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/07/06/news/top_stories/785102005.txt

Washington Babylon

California Republican congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham traded military contracts for $2.4 million in antiques, cash, and other booty. He is now in jail, but his case exposed a world of bribery, booze, and broads that reaches into the Pentagon, the C.I.A., and Congress. Washington is wondering: Who's next?

http://www.vanityfair.com/features/general/articles/060705fege01

Staffers believed Cunningham right until the end

Greg Parks was a year out of college when he joined the staff of Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham in 2001, hoping to learn about public policy and maybe, just maybe, run for office himself one day.

Parks adored Cunningham, a former Vietnam fighter pilot. Cunningham, he felt, was truly a nice man, a guy who treated his staff to a round of drinks on the anniversary of the day he became a Navy ace. Parks believed in his boss's honesty until the day Cunningham pleaded guilty after admitting that he accepted $2.4 million in bribes.

Parks, now 27, has moved back to his hometown and works as a policy coordinator for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. He thinks about Cunningham with a mixture of sadness, disappointment and anger – “anger that he would lie to my face.”

More than a dozen people worked for Cunningham when the Rancho Santa Fe Republican pleaded guilty Nov. 28. Almost none of them have spoken publicly about the scandal, either because they have been told by congressional officials not to talk to the media or because they have no interest in reliving that dark chapter of their lives.

A number of former staffers contacted either didn't return phone messages or declined to comment. The only one willing to speak publicly was Parks.

His tenure as a member of Cunningham's staff began with him going to Washington, D.C., with idealistic intentions and ended with him leaving a few years later wondering how many other politicians were on the take.

“It made me think it could be anybody,” Parks said. “If he could have done it, anybody could.”

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060521/news_1m21staffer.html

Another probe in Cunningham case

On Wednesday, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct announced it had launched an investigation to determine if other congressional members or staffers aided Cunningham in improperly influencing the awarding of government contracts.

However, a watchdog group predicted the committee ultimately will drop the probe, citing an ongoing Justice Department investigation taking precedence over its work.

Investigators with several federal agencies are continuing to examine lawmakers and others who may have aided Cunningham in his criminal activities.

A statement issued by the committee said the panel intends to act forcefully if it uncovers wrongdoing.

"Should we become aware, either through the inquiry we have undertaken or through any other source, of facts supporting a more formal investigation of one or more members, officers or employees, we intend to take all appropriate steps under committee rules, including recommending the establishment of one or more investigative subcommittees."

A spokeswoman for the Washington office of the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said she doubts that would happen and contended that the committee statement released by Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Washington, was nothing more than a public relations exercise.

"It's pretty funny considering Cunningham is already sitting in jail," said the group's Naomi Seligman Steiner. "And anyone the committee might look at is already under investigation by the Justice Department."

nctimes

Prison-bound Cunningham shuttled away in shackles

March 11, 2006 In the Vietnam war, Randy “Duke” Cunningham piloted Navy F-4 Phantom jet fighters to fight the enemy.

While a congressman, he lounged aboard private jets hired by contractors who bribed him for government contracts.

On Thursday, he flew in shackles alongside other criminals on “Con Air,” the nickname for the government airline used to transport prisoners around the country.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060311-9999-7m11duke.html

Cunningham taken into custody, ordered to repay $1.8 million

March 3, 2006 Former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham was taken into custody Friday after being sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution for accepting bribes from defense contractors.

The judge told Cunningham: “You weren't wet. You weren't cold. You weren't hungry and yet you did these things. “I think what you've done is you've undermined the opportunity that honest politicians have to do a good job. The amount of money involved emasculates prior bribery crimes.”

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, probably did more than anyone to help Cunningham win his seat 16 years ago and to groom him while he was in Congress. To the very end, Hunter is intent on supporting his hunting partner and fellow war veteran.

Hunter declined to voice an opinion on the “bribe menu.” He faulted federal prosecutors, saying they are “putting their case forward in the newspapers, which they're not supposed to do.”

Prosecutors: Greed only motivation

Rep. Cunningham resigns; took $2.4 million in bribes

Sentencing: Set for Feb. 27; he could get 10 years in prison Reaction: Most in district express shock and dismay What's next: Special election will be sometime next year

November 29, 2005 Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Rancho Santa Fe, resigned from Congress yesterday after tearfully confessing to accepting bribes. After entering his guilty plea in a federal court in San Diego, he proclaimed: "In my life, I have known great joy and great sorrow. And now I know great shame."

"This was a crime of unprecedented magnitude and extraordinary audacity," U.S. Attorney Carol Lam said after the haggard-looking Vietnam war fighter ace pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion charges in San Diego federal court.

While prosecutors had confirmed for several months they were investigating Cunningham's dealings with contractors, the scope of the corruption revealed yesterday was staggering.

Lam described a five-year conspiracy that included bribes in the form of cash, mortgage payments, antiques, yachts, a Rolls-Royce, a college graduation party for Cunningham's daughter and two antique French commodes worth $7,200.

"Duke" Cunningham is a Congressman we can be proud of.

He received his Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees from the University of Missouri. He then became a successful swim coach, having coached 36 All Americans and 2 Olympic gold and silver Medalist. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration.

"Duke" fought for his country as a Naval Aviator during and after the Vietnam War. He served until his retirement from the U.S. Navy as a Commander in 1987. One of the most highly decorated pilots in the Vietnam War, he completed two combat cruises with Fighter Squadron 96 aboard the USS America (CV 66) and the USS Constellation (CV 64). He flew a total of 300 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos.

On January 19, 1972 he and his back-seater, Bill Driscoll, engaged three MIG-17s north of Quang Lang Airfield and shot down the lead aircraft. On May 8, 1972 he engaged three MIG-17s and destroyed the MIG chasing his wingman while he was being fired upon by the other two aircraft.

On May 10, 1972, in one of the most famous air battles in history, Cunningham was pulling off target after a flak-suppression mission south of Hanoi when his flight was attacked by 22 MIG-17s, MIG-19s and MIG-21s. During this dog fight he shot down three of the 22 MIGs giving him a total of five victories and forever designating him as the first ace in Vietnam, a feat that only one other pilot accomplished during the entire Vietnam War.

One of these kills was a MIG-17 he shot off his executive officer's tail while he was being directly attacked by four MIG-17s, two MIG-19s and four MIG-21s. For this action, "Duke" Cunningham was nominated for the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor.

After his third victory of the day, he turned to the sanctuary of the Gulf of Tonkin, but was hit by a surface-to-air missile forty miles over enemy territory. Using the skills acquired by training and his valuable "know your equipment" acumen, he nursed his badly damaged F-4 Phantom to the Gulf where he and Bill Driscoll ejected and were rescued out of the water.

"Duke" Cunningham was decorated with the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Purple Heart, 15 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation, a South Vietnamese cross of Gallantry (Star Cluster), Cross of Gallantry Oak Leaf, and the Selective Service Medal.

"Duke" has been married to Dr. Nancy Cunningham for twenty-seven years and has three children: April Dianna, Carrie Melissa, and Randall Todd Cunningham. "Duke's" Radar Intercept Officer (back-seater),William "Willy" "Irish" Driscoll is the Godfather to his oldest daughter, April Dianna Cunningham.

"Duke" wrote the popular book FOX TWO in 1984 about his fighter pilot experiences. He was an instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School "TOP GUN" at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Many of his real life experiences as a navy pilot were depicted in the movie "TOP GUN". He served as the Commanding Officer of the elite Navy Aggressor Squadron that flew Russian tactics and formations to train U.S. Fighter Pilots at NAS Miramar and around the world.

After retiring from the Navy, he accepted the position as Dean of the School of Aviation at National University in San Diego. Congressman Cunningham was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990 and has returned to his office with strong support from his San Diego County constituents every two years since then. In Congress he serves as an influential member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and on the Subcommittee on National Security. He also serves on the Select Committee on Intelligence, and on the Labor, Health and Human Services Committee.

"Duke" has been recognized by a large number of civic organizations for his many contributions to the community and society as a whole. His work for strong, community-based education has led to his recognition as the Education Impact Aid Man of the Year and Library Man of the Year, among other awards. Groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The National Federation of Independent Business, and The National Taxpayer Union have recognized his commitment to job growth, tax relief and a strong economy. "Duke's" work to keep our neighborhoods safe has led to endorsements by the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Deputy Sheriff's Association of San Diego County, and several other law enforcement groups.

Our congressman works for drug-free schools, quality education for our children, a strong and efficient national defense, and a smaller, more efficient government that works with us rather than against us.

Randy "Duke" Cunningham is indeed, a Congressman we can be proud of. He cares about the future of our community and our country.

Disgraced lawmaker's wife intensely private, protective of her family

Nancy Cunningham stood by her husband, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, in July when he declined to seek re-election. Two years later, Nancy filed for divorce and a restraining order.
Nancy Cunningham stood by her husband, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, in July when he declined to seek re-election. Two years later, Nancy filed for divorce and a restraining order.

When Nancy Jones married Randy “Duke” Cunningham in 1974, she was a smart, good-looking kindergarten teacher barely out of school; he was a Navy flying ace whose heroics had earned him fame and admiration.

It was a second chance for both.

“He is a very aggressive spontaneously assaultive person,” she wrote in a court declaration, “and I fear for my immediate physical safety and well being.”

But the couple reconciled, and the union survived for 32 years despite marital hardships: his son's drug addiction, prostate cancer and a cross-country relationship. The couple also prospered individually, Nancy as a school principal and administrator, and Duke as a congressman elected eight times.

Just last fall, longtime friend Charles Nesby said the couple were as affectionate as “two teenagers together.”

That wasn't long before Cunningham, a Republican representing the 50th District, admitted taking $2.4 million in bribes, trading his influence for cash, antiques and mortgage payments. He admitted he hadn't declared the income on the couple's tax returns and resigned.

Since then, Nancy Cunningham has been fighting legal battles of her own. She's suing to keep the government from taking her half of the couple's real estate profits as it recovers the bribe money. Federal prosecutors haven't ruled her out as a target of their investigation. Her attorneys say she didn't know he was taking bribes.

The couple live apart.

reference

Hunter, Duncan Lee

Top Gun Enterprises Inc.

Randy 'Duke' Cunningham: Archive