Another corrupt GOP pol goes on trial

[RiverStone]

Source: Capitol Hill Blue

A defense contractor appeared for the first day of his trial Wednesday on charges that he paid 700,000 dollars in bribes to a former prominent US lawmaker who has since been sentenced for corruption.

Federal prosecutors accuse Brent Wilkes, the chief of firm ADCS Inc., of bribing former representative Randall "Duke" Cunningham in exchange for the California politician's help in winning lucrative government defense contracts.

Cunningham, a 65-year-old Vietnam War veteran, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison in March 2006 after he pleaded guilty to taking bribes.

The Republican politician, who was a member of the powerful House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, admitted pocketing 2.4 million dollars in kickbacks.



Read more: http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/3488

---

Randy 'Duke' Cunningham: Another slimeball on the run (AFP Photo)