« previous | MUCK HOME | next »
Wilkes Takes The Stand
Surprise, surprise! From the AP:
Defense contractor Brent Wilkes emphatically denied bribing former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham Friday as he took the stand in his trial, which had been suspended while wildfires ravaged San Diego County.Wilkes' attorney, Mark Geragos, surprised prosecutors by calling Wilkes on the first day of trial in a week. The lawyer had not warned them he would be calling his client to the stand, and had not hinted in earlier hearings that Wilkes would testify in his own defense.
"Did you ever bribe him?" Geragos asked Wilkes, who took the stand in a gray suit.
"No, I didn't," Wilkes replied.
Presumably Geragos' direct examination was a little more elaborate than that. We're eager to hear more.
Update: The updated AP story has a lot more detail. Wilkes denied ever paying for or having sex with the prostitute who testified against him earlier in the trial. Flatly denied it. And there was this precious exchange:
Prosecutor Phillip Halpern asked Wilkes whether he had told colleagues to deny any wrongdoing about their transactions with Cunningham."I believe you're referring to the phrase, 'Admit nothing, deny everything and make counteraccusations,'" Wilkes said. "It's a CIA saying. It's a joke."
And Wilkes pointed out that his relationship with Cunningham wasn't all that special. He also had support from Reps. John Doolittle (R-CA) and Jerry Lewis (R-CA), he said. I'm sure they appreciate the shout-out.
Comments (24)
I hope Halpern's cross is a lot more elaborate too.
October 26, 2007 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Halpern's cross was a lot more elaborate too.
October 26, 2007 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis is not a Democrat
October 27, 2007 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis with a D?
Someone's been forced into watching too much Fox News..
Josh, you need to give these folks a break from the Orielly factor now and then...
October 27, 2007 9:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis is not a Democrat comedian either!
October 27, 2007 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis is not a Democrat comedian either!
October 27, 2007 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis is not a Democrat comedian either!
October 27, 2007 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis is not a Democrat comedian either!
October 27, 2007 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jerry Lewis is not a Democrat comedian either!
October 27, 2007 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am reasonably sure that the Jerry Lewis you are referring to is NOT a Democrat. Perhaps your intent in following his name with a (D) is in reference to the Grade the Department of Agriculture has given his hairdo! They determined that the wig he wears was made out of a hairball that was passed by a Guernsey Cow after grazing near a dog mortuary.
Yes, believe it or not, this Mr. Jerry Lewis is a Republican Congressman. And, yes, he will soon be going to jail along with Mr. Wilkes and the rest of their nearly defunct Influence Peddling Operation. Personally I don't believe Mr. Lewis has done ALL of the things The Dukester has accused him of, mainly because I read somewhere that he is a Christian, and Christians just don't know how to do that kind of thing.
Brick
October 27, 2007 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am reasonably sure that the Jerry Lewis you are referring to is NOT a Democrat. Perhaps your intent in following his name with a (D) is in reference to the Grade the Department of Agriculture has given his hairdo! They determined that the wig he wears was made out of a hairball that was passed by a Guernsey Cow after grazing near a dog mortuary.
Yes, believe it or not, this Mr. Jerry Lewis is a Republican Congressman. And, yes, he will soon be going to jail along with Mr. Wilkes and the rest of their nearly defunct Influence Peddling Operation. Personally I don't believe Mr. Lewis has done ALL of the things The Dukester has accused him of, mainly because I read somewhere that he is a Christian, and Christians just don't know how to do that kind of thing.
Brick
October 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably the biggest case of his career and USA Halpren was suprised & not ready for Wilkes testimony? What was he doing, reading DOJ whistleblower e-mail addresses?
He got past the purchase of the Uncle's house by Tommy K's daughter, so let's try another.
Wilkes was appointed to the Delmar Fair Board & the Race Track Leasing Commission by Arnold.
Edward Halpren is the Executive Director of California Thoroughbred Breeders.
Is this, in Arnold's words, a "not cool" situation?
October 27, 2007 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, trainers, not breeders.
October 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
mac2151,
Is Edward Halpern in some way related to Phillip Halpern?
October 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wilkes case was the only one heard in federal court yesterday in San Diego. All courts were closed because of the fires. Seems unusual, and there was no explanation given as to why just this case was heard.
October 27, 2007 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi webmaster-please let posters know when their comment has been sent and you won't have to deal with multiple postings like mine above...
Thanks! Love your site and all the TPM sites...Carl
October 27, 2007 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clearly, members of the CIA are only joking when they say: "Admit nothing, deny everything and make counteraccusations." Just a little self depracating humor, since we all know the actual CIA policy is total disclosure.
Haha. Wow. Juries aren't always that smart, but claiming it was only a joke is a...umm...different legal strategy.
October 27, 2007 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
This trial is one of the reasons Carol Lam was fired so she wouldn't be the prosecutor.
October 27, 2007 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
so Wilkes says earmarks are great things because it bypasses government beaurocracy. But he didn't bribe anyone. I wonder what term he uses to describe what the law calls quid pro quo. I hope Halpern asks him.
According to Wilkes, its ok because they all do it. Well, that means all those congressmen who took the trips are crooks.It doesn't diminish the crime.
Passing out taxpayer's hard earned tax dollars sos the Duke could get laid and this cretin justifies it with a wink and nod.
I hope Halpern gives him a reality check.
Is that the values Wilkes teaches his kids?
October 27, 2007 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Creative Investment Practices" or some such BS from the defense was what I heard. No, that's not a BRIBE, your Honor.
Oh, Reps Lewis and Hunter are both evil Republicants, and will be going down soon.
More popcorn, anyone?
October 27, 2007 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
when your "jokes" result in several felony convictions, you could say that they ain't "Practical" jokes
have a nice laugh mr wilkes (can we make prision rape jokes here ???) (insert soap joke)
October 28, 2007 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Weird. Did Duke think they were bribes when he pled?
October 28, 2007 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smug Basterd. 'nuff said.
October 29, 2007 3:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Keeping in mind this article could have as easily been worded, "...after Brent Wilkes first took the stand; the fear of fires raging nearby started gripping residents and perhaps jurors, in San Diego as Brent Wilkes smuggly
denied involvement with fellow C.I.A. Prostitutes...."
So, having made that statement, I don't quite understand whether it makes a difference if a prostitute, who is a politician, or prostitute who services politicians,is one and the same. I guess like other law abiding citizens, I am confused of these disparities in ethics. Obviously, I don't have the same experience with either as does Brent Wilkes or Mark Geragos.
But unlike Brent Wilkes, I might not because I don't cheat my faith, my taxes, and when I was married I did not cheat or submit my spouse to social diseases, and I don't intentionally follow others with intent to cause criminal harm ....harm.....social and criminal harm.
November 4, 2007 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink