Well, one of the member of the Republican Culture of Corruption has learned his fate:Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for collecting nearly $2.4 million in bribes that included homes, yatches and antiques. U.S. District Judge Larry Burns spared the embarrassment of the maximum decade-long sentence as the former congressman was immediately taken into custody.
In high-drama in the court, Cunningham broke down as he accepted his actions, "Your honor I have ripped my life to shreds due to my actions, my actions that I did to myself," he told the judge. "I made a very wrong turn. I rationalized decisions I knew were wrong. I did that, sir."
Federal prosecutors were reportedly pushing for the maximum sentence, while the Duke's own attorneys pleaded for mercy. Judge Burns acknowledged Cunningham's military service as well as his readiness to take the blame, but asked him why he felt compelled to betray his constituents, "You weren't wet. You weren't cold. You weren't hungry and yet you did these things," Burns commented.
"I think what you've done is you've undermined the opportunity that honest politicians have to do a good job." Lee Blalack, who represented the disgraced congressman in court, asked for six years, "This man has been humiliated beyond belief by his own hand. He is estranged from those he loves most and cares most about," Blalack pleaded.
"All his worldly possessions are gone. He will carry a crushing tax debt until the day he dies. He will go to jail until he's 70 years old." Cunningham is suffering from prostate cancer and his attorney said that there is every chance that he might not survive it.
However, prosecutors pointed out that Cunningham had only pleaded guilty on November 28 after spending months denying the charges of large-scale tax evasion. The court also ordered Cunningham to pay $1.8 million in back taxes.
The Republican COC may soon have another member:
Florida Congresswoman Katherine Harris says she did not knowingly do anything wrong in her associations with a defense contractor who prosecutors say illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign in 2004.
Questions about the donations have arisen as Harris tries to unseat U-S Senator Bill Nelson. Harris is the former Florida secretary of state who oversaw the 2000 presidential election recount.The donations made to Harris were described in a plea agreement last Friday by defense contractor Mitchell Wade. The former president of M-Z-M pleaded guilty to bribing California Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham.Prosecutors said Harris got 32-thousand-dollars from M-Z-M employees who were reimbursed by Wade. Harris said she recently donated the money to charity.Harris says her office has not been contacted about the investigation.
It really is the shame that the Republicans just elected John Boehner the new House Majority Leader.
Boehner is very closely allied with K Street and has already said he is against ethics reform.
It becomes more and more evident every day that the Republican COC will continue for sometime.
