AP NewsBreak: Feds prepare to charge ex-CIA official, contractor

[swag]

http://www.pe.com/ap_news/California/CA_Congressman_Bribery_273407C.shtml

By ALLISON HOFFMAN

The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO

Federal prosecutors are preparing to seek indictments against a former top CIA official and a San Diego defense contractor at the center of the bribery scandal that sent former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham to prison.

Two government officials familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press on Wednesday that prosecutors plan to ask a San Diego grand jury to return charges of honest services fraud and conspiracy against Kyle "Dusty" Foggo and his close friend, Brent Wilkes, whose lawyers have said he is one of four unidentified co-conspirators described in the 2005 plea agreement for Cunningham, a San Diego Republican.

Honest services fraud is a combination of mail and wire fraud often used in public corruption cases involving officials who have engaged in a continuing pattern of improper activities, such as accepting gifts, trips or promises of future employment from private individuals.

The officials said a second indictment is being prepared that would charge Wilkes and two of the other Cunningham co-conspirators New York businessman Thomas Kontogiannis and his nephew, John T. Michael_ with bribery and several conspiracy counts.
. . .

Foggo was responsible for the CIA's day-to-day operations until resigning in May after his home and office were raided by FBI agents in connection with the Cunningham probe headed by the U.S. attorney's office in San Diego.
. . .

Federal law enforcement agencies and intelligence officials have been investigating whether Foggo improperly awarded contracts to Wilkes' companies, including a multimillion-dollar contract to supply bottled water for CIA operations in Iraq.

. . . more

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. This will be another trial...

That could be as much fun as Libby's. This thing goes deep and an awful lot of effort has been expended to keep Foggo from getting charged. It could be a big reason why Carol Lam was canned.

[maddezmom]

2. K&R

:kick:

[cascadiance]

3. It's also interesting that the auction sale on Wilkes' Poway ADCS building is now off

... with no explanation.

Note from my earlier thread yesterday on this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2710802&mesg_id=2710802

Here is the subscription article that indicates this:

http://www.sddt.com/News/article.cfm?SourceCode=20070131czl

I haven't read the article, but I wonder if this means that he's cutting a plea deal so that he isn't going to be paying Geragos as much and is able to keep the building a little longer?

Also, am trying to organize a Valentines' Day of flowers for Carol Lam the day before she leaves office to honor her independence in doing her job here. Please add a note to the following thread if you can help.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=92226&mesg_id=92226

[TexasLawyer]

4. BIG news! Thanks

[cascadiance]

5. Check out this article from VOSD detailing Wilkes' financial troubles!

He's really got a lot to deal with, reading this. Sounds like the auction was just postponed, and that creditors are still lining up for massive amounts of debt owed by him to them.

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/02/01/housing/941wilkes020107.txt