Alleged Duke Briber Hires Celeb Lawyer

Is the Duke Cunningham scandal about to re-emerge in the public eye?

Accused Cunningham briber Brent Wilkes has hired celebrity defense lawyer Mark Geragos, the North County (Calif.) Times reported yesterday. The move may hint that Wilkes expects an indictment — and a cascade of media attention — to come down soon.

Duke accused Wilkes, who ran Poway, Calif.-based defense/intelligence contracting company ADCS, Inc., of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to the congressman’s pocket in exchange for secret government contracts.

Reports the North County Times:

Geragos, whose former clients include pop star Michael Jackson, former first brother Roger Clinton and former Congressman Gary Condit, said Wednesday that he recently began representing Poway businessman Brent Wilkes. . . .

It was unclear last week exactly what role Geragos will play on Wilkes’ legal team.

Asked if he would be defending Wilkes in the event he is indicted, Geragos would only say that he is prepared to help the man in any way he can.

“I met Brent and certainly was impressed by him and also the situation he finds himself in,” Geragos said. “He could use my help.”

Wilkes is already represented by Washington, D.C. lawyer Nancy Luque, who represented Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard.