Congress member resigns after pleading guilty to taking bribes

United States

Representative Randy ( Duke) Cunningham, an eight- term congressman and hotshot Vietnam War flying ace, pleaded guilty to graft and tearfully resigned yesterday, admitting he took $ 2.4 million ( U. S.) in bribes from defence contractors. “ The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my office,” the 63- yearold Republican said at a news conference in San Diego. He could get up to 10 years in prison at sentencing Feb. 27 on federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud, and tax evasion.

Investigators said Cunningham, a member of a House Appropriations subcommittee that controls defence dollars, secured contracts worth tens of millions of dollars for those who paid him off. Prosecutors did not identify the contractors.