In the end, Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, a former Navy fighter pilot whose Top Gun swagger carried him to military glory and then to Congress, was left with little room to maneuver. That was the consensus among local lawyers and legal experts yesterday who analyzed Cunningham’s guilty pleas to conspiracy and tax evasion charges that toppled him from Congress and likely will send him to prison. The strength of the government’s case also means Cunningham may not have much leverage as he faces a maximum prison sentence that could be up to 10 years. “He’s admitted in open court he defrauded the United States and the people of the United States and he purposely evaded – with a criminal intent – paying taxes,” criminal defense lawyer Marc X. Carlos said.
“It will be difficult for any judge to give leniency given these facts,” he said. In a 33page plea agreement, prosecutors spelled out the case against Cunningham, who admitted to accepting $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for steering government contracts to friendly defense contractors. That Cunningham pleaded guilty before being indicted and did not challenge any of the government’s evidence against him are telling signs that prosecutors had assembled an overwhelming case, lawyers said.
“He fell on his sword,” criminal defense lawyer Michael Crowley said.
