Congressman Pleads Guilty to Bribery
The GOP culture of corruption is coming home to roost. Today, Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) pleaded guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors - and resigned his seat. From the LA Times:
U.S. District Judge Larry Burns accepted the pleas from Cunningham, 63, including the congressman's admission in federal court that he had accepted bribes in exchange for performance of his official duties."I misled my friends, family and myself. The truth is, I broke the law and disgraced my office and myself," Cunningham said after his plea, breaking into tears at a press conference. "In my life I have great joy and great sorrow, and now I know great shame," said Cunningham, a Vietnam War flying ace who won the Navy Cross. ...
Cunningham admitted to receiving at least $2.4 million in bribes — checks for over $1 million, cash, rugs, antiques, furniture, yacht club fees and vacations, according to prosecutors. He agreed to return $1.8 million.
"He did the worst thing an elected official can do — he enriched himself through his position and violated the trust of those who put him there," U.S. Atty. Carol Lam said in a statement.
Of course, there's much more to come. The Abramoff scandal is widening and deepening, with as many as a four members of Congress under suspicion. Majority Leader Tom DeLay remains under indictment. Senate President Bill Frist remains under investigation. And, the probe into CIA leaks from the White House continues.
Here in Oregon, GOP congressional candidate Jim Feldkamp still hasn't returned Tom DeLay's tainted money (despite paying an FEC fine for failing to report it.) House Majority Leader Wayne Scott (the subject of Oregonian hagiography today) is tossing around allegations as retribution for political disagreements.
Discuss.
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Nov. 28, 2005
Posted in in the news 2005. |
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Nov 28, '05
Robert Torricelli.
Nov 28, '05
I thought that he was pleading guilty to tax evasion...
1:59 p.m.
Nov 28, '05
I guess the point is that this is not a story of the "GOP Culture of corruption", but instead a story of a corrupt ruling party. I suspect it's going to be easier to find corrupt Republican legislators because the GOP is the party of big money, big business, and tax cuts for the rich. ON the other hand, after 40 years of solid Democratic control, there were an awful lot of rotten apples in that barrel.
Nov 28, '05
As a former resident of Chicago I would like to suggest that corruption is not related to party affiliation, and that it may not be helpful for Democrats to try and use this as a campaign issue.
10:58 p.m.
Nov 28, '05
Paul and BlueNote -- I sure hope you're not suggesting that we don't keep all elected officials accountable - right?
There's no "everybody does it" defense that's acceptable in my book.
I also want to point out that there are critical distinctions to be made here. The recent GOP money scandals all seem to include amounts in the millions of dollars. The late-80s and early-90s Democratic money scandals (remember the bounced check scandal and the House Post Office scandal?) were measured in the tens of thousands. Not right, but vastly different in scale.
Usually, Democratic scandals usually involve sex and pot - while Republicans' usually involve money and official corruption. I'll take my guys anytime.
Nov 29, '05
Usually, Democratic scandals usually involve sex and pot
Mr Chisholm - You seem to forget Bill Clinton/Al Gore giving the PRC Most Favored Nation status as a trade partner, which is one of the biggest crimes against labor. Now we can all buy at WalMart with a smile also.
Nov 29, '05
It is true that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". It doesn't make a difference what party you are. However, today's Republican Party have clearly shown that they are the MASTERS of corruption, bar none! On behalf of my Democratic brothers and sisters, I bow to their superior skills!
Nov 30, '05
Kari writes, I also want to point out that there are critical distinctions to be made here. The recent GOP money scandals all seem to include amounts in the millions of dollars. The late-80s and early-90s Democratic money scandals (remember the bounced check scandal and the House Post Office scandal?) were measured in the tens of thousands. Not right, but vastly different in scale.
So Democratic Corruption is less profitable or less ambitious than Republican Corruption? That "difference in scale" (quanitative distinction) provides some qualitative benefit? I don't see it.
And I am always surprised to see the "Clinton as Sexual Adolescent" theory trotted out in public (paraphrasing Kari: sex and pot are nobody's business, hardly real crimes at all), so we ought to just leave him alone.
The D's don't have a corner on sex and pot, but we should all agree that adulterous liasions (or "recreational" drug use) compromise the office holder's ability to fulfill their obligations. It may also subject them to possible blackmail or force them to acquiesce to political pressure they may have otherwise resisted.
Dec 1, '05
This is for Steverino, who tried to complete a thought above.
Do you know what Wal-Mart would be called without $1,500,000,000 in government subsidies every year?
Closed.
I hope your smiley little face is still smiling, Steverino. Happy shopping, fool!