Wilkes Takes The StandSurprise, surprise! From the AP:
Defense contractor Brent Wilkes emphatically denied bribing former U.S. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham Friday as he took the stand in his trial, which had been suspended while wildfires ravaged San Diego County.
Wilkes’ attorney, Mark Geragos, surprised prosecutors by calling Wilkes on the first day of trial in a week. The lawyer had not warned them he would be calling his client to the stand, and had not hinted in earlier hearings that Wilkes would testify in his own defense.
“Did you ever bribe him?” Geragos asked Wilkes, who took the stand in a gray suit.
“No, I didn’t,” Wilkes replied.
Presumably Geragos’ direct examination was a little more elaborate than that. We’re eager to hear more.
Update: The updated AP story has a lot more detail. Wilkes denied ever paying for or having sex with the prostitute who testified against him earlier in the trial. Flatly denied it. And there was this precious exchange:
Prosecutor Phillip Halpern asked Wilkes whether he had told colleagues to deny any wrongdoing about their transactions with Cunningham.
“I believe you’re referring to the phrase, ‘Admit nothing, deny everything and make counteraccusations,'” Wilkes said. “It’s a CIA saying. It’s a joke.”
And Wilkes pointed out that his relationship with Cunningham wasn’t all that special. He also had support from Reps. John Doolittle (R-CA) and Jerry Lewis (R-CA), he said. I’m sure they appreciate the shout-out.
