So why was Thomas Kontogiannis, who’s pled guilty to helping bribe Duke Cunningham, staying at a five-star Greek resort? Because the government told him to, prosecutors say. From The North County Times:
A federal judge allowed a New York man who has admitted bribing former North County U.S. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham to remain free on bond, after an Assistant U.S. Attorney said at a hearing this morning that the man’s recent trip to Greece was at the direction of federal agents.U.S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns had called the hearing to learn whether the man, Thomas Kontogiannis, had traveled overseas without permission. Any such trip requires prior approval because Kontogiannis pleaded guilty earlier this year on a money laundering charge.
At today’s hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Forge said the trip was made at the government’s behest.
“My understanding is that everything Mr. Kontogiannis did was not just ‘with permission,’ but at the direction of agents and other representatives of the government,” Forge said.
Stranger and stranger.