“Having admitted unparalleled corruption, defendant Randall H. Cunningham now comes before the 
Court to be sentenced for his stunning betrayal of the public trust.”
That’s the first sentence of the 35 page sentencing memorandum federal prosecutors presented to U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns in the Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham case. They want Duke to serve the max — 10 years in prison.
It’s the most detailed and eye-popping recounting of Cunningham’s various bad acts, bribes and shenanigans yet.
And we just posted the whole thing at the TPM Document Collection.
A few highlights, for lack of a better word …
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.
