Top Gun CUNNINGHAM: I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office.

" wrote:

Ed Rasimus wrote:

Ever been on the wing in the weather at night in a single-seat jet?

Didn't think so. "Merely capable" translates as pretty damn good in
terms of most folks capabilities.

You're drifting off topic, Eddy. The topic isn't about whether I (or
any other poster, for that matter) has ever been a jet pilot.

Oh, yes it is, punk.

You just don't know it.


Billy

http://www.two--four.net/weblog.php

Yeah, while I don't really buy into 'heroes', I thought he must have
been hot sh-t. I can still remember the account of his 'ace day' in
some book on the Phantom back in the 60s. Of course, the war was
underway and I was struck by everything having to do with wings. Heck,
I remember where I was when I read it...

....But I never liked the smug look and ego that I saw in the picture
that accompanied the account of his flights.

I never forgot any of it. Too bad he turned out to be a scumbag.

Jay Honeck wrote:
Cunningham is now serving a federal prison term for bribery. The San
Diego Republican was sentenced yesterday to eight years and four
months for taking bribes from at least three defense contractors.


This whole thing is so sad. Duke Cunningham was always one of my
heroes, and to see him completely fall from grace is stunning. What a
stupid, stupid thing to do.

Just goes to show you that a great fighter pilot doesn't necessarily
make an honest politician, I guess.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

In article ,
mumbled
The Democrat who delivered the address is Francine Busby,
the party's candidate to replace former Republican Congressman, Randy
"Duke" Cunningham of California.


And she lost.....

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php...ndy_Cunningham
Table of contents
1 Bio

1.1 Background
1.2 Congressional Career


2 Meet the Cash Constituents

2.1 Campaign Contributions from Defense Industry


3 Controversy

3.1 Del Mar Real Estate "Deal"


3.1.1 Realtor was campaign contributor
3.1.2 Subsequent Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate "Deal"
3.1.3 Tom DeLay Defended Cunningham


3.2 Boat purchases, sale and "free rent"


3.2.1 Kelly C
3.2.2 Duke Stir
3.2.3 Boat #3 and Brent Wilkes


3.3 Wilkes/ADCS Investigation
3.4 War Profiteering?
3.5 Money Laundering?
3.6 Post-conviction
3.7 Honored in Washington
3.8 Use of classified bills for personal gain


4 Committees and Affiliations

4.1 Committees


5 More Background Data

6 Resources and Articles

6.1 Resources
6.2 Articles & Commentary
6.3 SourceWatch Resources


-------------------------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Cunningham

Sentencing
On March 3, 2006, U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns sentenced
Cunningham to 100 months (eight years and four months) in prison.[46]
Federal prosecutors had pushed for the maximum sentence of ten years,
but Cunningham's defense lawyers said that at 64 years old and with
prostate cancer, Cunningham would likely die in prison if he received
the full sentence.[47][48]. Judge Burns cited his military service in
Vietnam as the reason the full ten years was not imposed. Prosecutors
announced that they were satisfied with the sentence, which is the
longest jail term ever given to a former Congressman.[49]

On the day of sentencing, Cunningham was 90 pounds (41 kg) lighter
than when allegations first surfaced 9 months earlier. After receiving
his sentence, Cunningham made a request to see his 91-year-old mother
one last time before going to prison. "I made a very wrong turn. I
rationalized decisions I knew were wrong. I did that, sir," Cunningham
said. The request was denied, and Burns remanded him immediately upon
rendering the sentence.[50]

According to the Inmate Locator at the Federal Bureau of Prisons
website, Cunningham is currently incarcerated at the low-security wing
of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina
with inmate register number 94405-198. His projected release date is
listed as June 4, 2013.


Aftermath
Almost as soon as Cunningham pled guilty, Intelligence Committee
chairman Pete Hoekstra of Michigan (who, ironically, represents Guy
Vander Jagt's former district) announced his panel would investigate
whether Cunningham used his post on that committee to steer contracts
to favored companies. Hoekstra said that Cunningham "no longer gets
the benefit of the doubt" due to his admission to "very, very serious"
crimes. "We need to look at worst-case scenarios," he added. He also
shut off Cunningham's access to classified information. While Hoekstra
doesn't believe that Cunningham improperly influenced the Intelligence
Committee's work, a committee spokesman said that he wanted to make
sure its work stayed on the level.[51]

Bill Young of Florida, chairman of the Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee and former chairman of the full Appropriations Committee,
said that he plans to review Cunningham's requests for defense
projects. While he felt most of the requests were legitimate and
supported by the Pentagon, he said that he needed to be "doubly sure
that anything shaky is not going to stay in."[52]

On December 14, prosecutors in former House Majority Leader Tom
DeLay's money laundering trial revealed that they are looking into
ties between Wilkes and DeLay. One of Wilkes' companies donated
$15,000 to DeLay's PAC, Texans for a Republican Majority. Wilkes also
hired a consulting firm that employed DeLay's wife, Christine.[53]
On January 6, 2006, Time reported that Cunningham cooperated with law
enforcement by wearing a concealed recording device (a "wire") while
meeting with associates prior to his guilty plea. It is not known whom
he met with while wired, but there is speculation Cunningham's
misdeeds were not isolated instances and his case could reveal a
larger web of corruption.[54]

On February 24, 2006, Mitchell Wade pleaded guilty to paying
Cunningham more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for millions
more in government contracts.[55]

In March, it was revealed that CIA officials have opened an
investigation into the CIA's No.3 official, Kyle Foggo, and his
relationship with Wilkes, "one of his closest friends," according to
the article. Foggo has said that all of the contracts he oversaw were
properly awarded and administered.[56]

On April 17, 2006, the staffs of the The San Diego Union-Tribune and
Copley News Service were awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for National
Reporting for their investigative work in uncovering Cunningham's
crimes.[57]

On May 12, 2006, FBI officials raided the Vienna, Virginia home of
former CIA official Kyle "Dusty" Foggo in connection with the
scandal.[58]

On June 6, 2006, Republican and former congressman Brian Bilbray won
the run-off election for Cunningham's seat, narrowly defeating
Democrat Francine Busby. The current term ends in 2006, so Bilbray
will face another election in November.[59]


-----------------------------------------



http://cunningham.house.gov/Biography/

Randy "Duke" Cunningham was born December 8, 1941, in Los Angeles,
California. After earning his bachelors degree in 1964 and his masters
in education in 1965 from the University of Missouri, Cunningham began
his career as an educator and a coach at Hinsdale (Ill.) High School.
As a swimming coach, Duke trained two athletes to Olympic gold and
silver medals. He later expanded his education experience as the Dean
of the School of Aviation at National University in San Diego.

In 1966, at the age of 25, Cunningham joined the U.S. Navy and became
one of the most highly decorated pilots in the Vietnam War. As the
first fighter ace of the war, Cunningham was nominated for the Medal
of Honor, received the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air
Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations.

Duke's experience in Vietnam and his background as an educator
prepared him well to train fighter pilots at the Navy Fighter Weapons
School -- the famed "Top Gun" program at Miramar Naval Air Station. As
Commanding Officer of the elite Navy Adversary Squadron, Cunningham
flew Russian tactics and formations against America's best combat
fighter pilots. Many of his real-life experiences as a Navy aviator
and fighter pilot instructor were depicted in the popular movie "Top
Gun."

Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1987, Cunningham translated the
Masters in Business Administration he earned at National University
into a successful business in San Diego.

In 2004, the people of California's 50th Congressional District
elected Duke Cunningham to his eighth term in the House of
Representatives. As the voters returned a Republican majority to both
chambers of Congress, Congressman Cunningham retained his position on
the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Cunningham serves on the
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations
subcommittee, which is instrumental in providing key funding for
education and medical research, two of his priorities. He also serves
on the panel's Defense subcommittee, which provides funding for our
national defense and armed services. At the beginning of the 109th
Congress, Cunningham was selected to serve as the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Human Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence on
the House Select Committee on Intelligence. Cunningham was first named
to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence by Speaker Hastert
in the 107th Congress. His extensive military experience, continued
service on defense and intelligence committees, and recognition as a
congressional leader on national security issues make him an ideal fit
for this prestigous position.

Through his committee assignments and the pursuit of his legislative
priorities, Congressman Cunningham continues to work for a stronger
economy; quality education for our children, a strong and efficient
national defense; and smart investment in medical research and
innovation. He places a priority on the effective use of taxpayer
resources for our children's future.

Several organizations have honored Congressman Cunningham for his work
in Congress. Most notably, he has been recognized for his work as a
fiscal conservative by such organizations as Citizens for a Sound
Economy, the National Taxpayer's Union, and the National Federation of
Independent Businesses. He has also been recognized by education
groups for his tireless advocacy and by several law enforcement
organizations for his tough-on-crime position.

Duke and his wife Nancy, the Director of Administrative Support
Services for the Encinitas Union School District, have three children
-Todd, April and Carrie.


Contact Duke Cunningham

2350 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5452
(202) 225-2558 fax

613 West Valley Parkway
Suite 320
Escondido, CA 92025
(858) 755-8382
(760) 737-8438
(760) 737-9132 fax

-------------------------------------------------------------------
On Fri, 07 Jul 2006 23:39:14 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote in :

http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0603/04/cst.02.html
WHITFIELD: The Democrat who delivered the address is Francine Busby,
the party's candidate to replace former Republican Congressman, Randy
"Duke" Cunningham of California.

Cunningham is now serving a federal prison term for bribery. The San
Diego Republican was sentenced yesterday to eight years and four
months for taking bribes from at least three defense contractors.

CNN's chief national correspondent, John King, takes a closer look at
Cunningham's career and his fall from power.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Randy Cunningham and high
risk have been partners a long time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: His name is Randy "Duke" Cunningham, and he is a
legend of air power.

KING: The Vietnam ace whose daring exploits were an inspiration for
Maverick in Hollywood's "Top Gun."

VAL KILMER, ACTOR: I don't like you because you're dangerous.

TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: That's right, Iceman. I am dangerous.

KING: And from famous war hero, Cunningham parachuted into a seemingly
less risky business: politics.

RANDY "DUKE" CUNNINGHAM (R), FORMER CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVE: Duke
Cunningham, running for U.S. Congress.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Duke Cunningham will be a congressman we can be
proud of.

KING: Now 16 years after that first campaign, San Diego Congressman
Duke Cunningham's exploits are once again the stuff of Hollywood.

CUNNINGHAM: I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my
office.

KING: His corruption is stunning in its scope and in its sheer
audacity: $2.4 million in bribes, at least. Private jets for resort
getaways. A California mansion. A Rolls Royce. A lifestyle well beyond
his means and a thirst for more.

That appetite, longtime friends like Charles Nesby say, perhaps were
some of the traits that made Duke Cunningham a successful ace.
Cockiness.

CAPT. CHARLES NESBY, CUNNINGHAM FRIEND: That's the nature of the beast
in all of us that are fighter pilots. You're naturally aggressive.

KING: Naked avarice is what prosecutors call it.

And look at this. Cunningham actually scribbled this bribe menu on his
congressional notepad. Want a $16 million contract? The cost is a
boat, "BT" for short, worth $140,000. Add in another $50,000 for each
additional million dollars in contracts.

NORMAN ORNSTEIN, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE: What Cunningham did is
breathtaking.

KING: Norman Ornstein has been studying Congress for 30 years and says
there has been nothing like this before.

ORNSTEIN: This is somebody who set out to live a lavish lifestyle by
making sure he could shake down contractors, lobbyists and interest
groups.

KING: Thousands of dollars in meals, at the Capital Grille and other
pricey Washington restaurants, Cunningham's tab picked up by defense
contractors.

Private jets, again, paid for by contractors, to whisk the congressman
around the country.

Then trendy Delano Hotel on Miami's South Beach was one destination
two years ago: $1,254 for the room, $848 for Cunningham's meals at the
hotel. Nearly $13,000 for the chartered jet.

Cunningham grew to expect luxury, the prosecution memo says. His
co-conspirators eagerly plied him with it.

He was, after all, on the House Appropriations Committee, a leading
voice on its defense subcommittee, able to enter multimillion dollar
favors into the Pentagon and other budgets.

His Navy days gave him standing on military matters, and stories via
the big screen.

CUNNINGHAM: I met my wife by singing, "You Lost That Loving Feeling"
to her at the Miramar officer's club.

KING (on camera): Perhaps they should have raised questions, some
friends say, when a congressman with a $165,000 a year salary bought a
penthouse condominium here just outside Washington, in addition to the
pricey home he owned in southern California.

(voice-over) The condo came courtesy of a defense contractors'
$200,000 down payment. Inside, tens of thousands of dollars worth of
antiques the congressman demanded in exchange for favors, all now in a
warehouse awaiting government auction.

This is the boat from the bribe menu, The Duke-Stir, a flashy exhibit
of Cunningham's lifestyle. Real estate records like these, the more
mundane evidence that would begin his fall from grace.

November, 2003, Cunningham sold his home in Del Mar to a defense
contractor for nearly $1.7 million. The contractor lost $700,000 when
he resold it. That caught the eye of a Copley News Service reporter,
and then that caught the eye of the feds. What they found is eye
popping.

NESBY: It's the power, and then some people handle the power
correctly. Other people, the power can be misused. Duke lost his moral
compass.

KING: Nesby is one of 40 Cunningham friends and family members who
wrote the judge, appealing for leniency. In his letter, Nesby recalled
the white naval officer who took a risk, standing up for a young black
pilot.

NESBY: It was not popular for him to do that, but I appreciated it.
What he did, he leveled the playing field and allowed me to compete
and gave me what I deserved. And I'll always love him for that.

KING: In his note to the judge, Cunningham wrote, "It all started very
slowly and innocently," that he's sorry, worried about dying in
prison. But "I will accept your sentence without complaint."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Randy "Duke" Cunningham will be remembered as an
educator, a legislator, but most of all, as a legend of air power.

KING: A career that is the stuff of Hollywood. Then...

CUNNINGHAM: In my life I have had great joy and great sorrow. And now
I have great shame.

KING: ... and now.

John king, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Larry Dighera wrote:

snip vast amount of info readily available elsewhere on the net

Any particular reason you did that? Why not post the link, instead of
posting yards of text straight off another website?

Gordon

On 3 Aug 2006 19:18:19 -0700, "Gordon" wrote in
.com:

Any particular reason you did that? Why not post the link, instead of
posting yards of text straight off another website?

Web sites are ephemeral. GoogleGroups archives Usenet articles for
posterity.

In rec.aviation.military Larry Dighera wrote:
On 3 Aug 2006 19:18:19 -0700, "Gordon" wrote in
.com:

Any particular reason you did that? Why not post the link, instead of
posting yards of text straight off another website?

Web sites are ephemeral. GoogleGroups archives Usenet articles for
posterity.

Keep in mind Google now only displays the first 20 kbytes
of posts (about 250 lines).

Such a sad story though where "Duke" Cunningham will be remembered
as one of the biggest crooks in Congress instead of his accomplisments
in the air.

--
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Herb Oxley
From: address IS Valid.

On Sat, 5 Aug 2006 13:50:59 +0000 (UTC),
(RadicalModerate) wrote in :

Keep in mind Google now only displays the first 20 kbytes
of posts (about 250 lines).

Thanks for that; where did you find that information? Does that mean,
that when the option to 'display original message' is invoked,
messages longer than 20 Kbytes will be truncated also?

Such a sad story though where "Duke" Cunningham will be remembered
as one of the biggest crooks in Congress instead of his accomplisments
in the air.

I'll always remember both his aviation accomplishments, and his being
the biggest congressional crook brought to justice.

Spooky. The Butner prison complex is where I take anybody I give a ride
to out of 8NC8. For Young Eagles its, "guess what's in those
buildings". And it's our flight school's standard practice area. There
are 3 to 5 prisons there, roughly 3 miles from the airport (thankfully
across a lake, a quarry, swamplands, and interstate).

How many times have I wondered about people imprisoned below while I'm
doing figure eights and turns around a point in the big blue sky overhead.

As a kid, reading the account of his big flight in Vietnam while
building model airplanes, I was saddened knowing I would probably never
get to fly a Phantom but I knew I would always fly.

Thanking of Cunningham sitting it out in Butner while I cavort
overhead...as much as I hate what he did, how he did it, and the
egotistical a--hole he always seemed to be in public accounts... life
seems harsh and arbitrary even when law and order is righteously served.
But it is the way it is.

Larry Dighera wrote:
According to the Inmate Locator at the Federal Bureau of Prisons
website, Cunningham is currently incarcerated at the low-security wing
of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina
with inmate register number 94405-198. His projected release date is
listed as June 4, 2013.

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:04:47 GMT, Maule Driver
wrote in
:

Thanking of Cunningham sitting it out in Butner while I cavort
overhead...a

It's good to know that he can see people enjoying their freedom over
his head, but I'd prefer to see the millions of dollars he cost the
country back in the federal coffers.