Prosecutor: Defense Contractor Brent Wilkes Relied on Cunningham to Bully Pentagon Employees

[L. Coyote]

Okay, let the long series of million dollar bribe headlines begin :rofl: The trial has started!

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Defense contractor's bribery trial opens
Prosecutor: Defense Contractor Relied on Former Lawmaker to Bully Pentagon Employees
ALLISON HOFFMAN - AP News - Oct 09, 2007
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/10/defense_contractors_bribery_tr.php


A defense contractor accused of bribing former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham relied on the congressman to bully Pentagon employees into paying for unsatisfactory work, a federal prosecutor told a jury Tuesday.

Pentagon officials were unhappy with Brent Wilkes' work scanning documents in 2001 and didn't want to pay for it, said Phillip Halpern, an assistant U.S. attorney. Cunningham prevailed on them to pay $4 million.

Wilkes has pleaded not guilty to charges that he bought Cunningham's assistance in securing millions in federal contracts by giving the congressman more than $700,000 in cash and perks that included exotic vacations, private jet flights and prostitutes.

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URL on edit.

[babylonsister]

1. I hope every last, ugly detail is exposed. We deserve the truth!

:patriot:

[L. Coyote]

2. There were subpoenas of Congress persons, all "declined"

This could yet become very interesting as efforts are made to make other members reveal how the system "works" in practice.

[OzarkDem]

3. $4 million to scan documents?

Where do I get in on a deal like that one?

[L. Coyote]

4. Send your check to the RNC!

[L. Coyote]

5. “He's not the brightest congressman up there. We can work with him.”

I'm with Stupid
By Paul Kiel - October 11, 2007
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004432.php

For a contractor, what's the best kind of congressman? The dumb and powerful variety.

The San Diego Union-Tribune (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/20071010-1723-bn10wilkes2.html) on yesterday's proceedings in Brent Wilkes' trial for bribing Duke Cunningham:

Randal Kerley, a former Wilkes employee in the early days of ADCS, testified Wednesday morning that Wilkes was pleased when Cunningham was appointed to the appropriations committee.

“He thought it would be beneficial to us,” Kerley said about Wilkes.

When he asked why, Kerley said Wilkes responded, “He's not the brightest congressman up there. We can work with him.”