Text 17918, 55 rader
Skriven 2006-02-18 09:59:38 av BOB SAKOWSKI (1:123/140)
Ärende: Culture of Corruption
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From the Sentencing Memorandum federal prosecutors presented to U.S.
District Court Judge Larry.

Link to full document:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/cunningham-rec/

Excerpts

Page 6, item b. Duke's staffer catches Duke buying a Suburban at under
market value from Mitchell Wade. Duke tells staffer to "Stay the f--- out
of my personal business." "In an attempt to right, and conceal, this
obviously corrupt transaction" Duke's staffers falisfy his DMV application
and try to get him to pay up to make up the difference. Duke passes on the
opportunity.

Page 9, item i. We learn about the roots of the GOP contempt for the
capital gains tax. Duke asks for special bribe earmarked for payment of
capital gains taxes on sale of house.

Page 12, item a. Duke shares ride back from the antique store bribery
junket with Mitchell Wade, expresses "his appreciation for [Wade's]
willingness to bribe him" and tells Wade he'll make him "somebody".

Page 15, item e. Duke demands that Mitchell Wade buy him a used Rolls
Royce. Duke then has Wade pay thousands to restore the car. Duke then
engineers bogus paper 'sale' of the car to Wade to pocket still more money.
Cunningham retains ownership of car.

Page 16, item f. Duke arranges to purchase the yacht 'Buoy Toy' from gay
couple with his "business partner" Mitchell Wade. Duke then renames boat
the 'Duke Stir'. When explaining his reasons for changing the yacht's name,
Duke quips, "I bought the boat, not the lifestyle."

Page 19. Unnamed Duke staffer confronts Duke over millions of dollars in
bribes he has accepted, asks Duke to either resign or not seek reelection.
Duke thinks it over, decides he'll stay in Congress. Staffer resigns.

Page 20, item a, following. Duke embarks on reign of witness tampering and
obstruction of justice. 

[snip]

Prosecutors are asking for the maximum 10 year sentence.  If the judge
agrees, Duke will not serve his term at a Club Fed but at an honest-to-God
prison.  Ten year sentences for felonies will do that.

(Note to John Hull:  Have I missed your condemnation of Duke Cunningham or
do you not consider him a "bad" republican?)

The Republican Party, an ongoing Culture of Corruption, complimented by an
Abundance of Arrogance.

Corruption & Incompetence Central, aka the Bush White House.
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