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Prosecutors Seek 25 Years for Duke Briber, "War Profiteer"
From The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Federal prosecutors say Brent Wilkes is a war profiteer, a lecher and a liar whose decade-long bribery of former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham netted him $46 million.For that, and for orchestrating the largest congressional bribery scheme in history, they say the Poway defense contractor should be sentenced to 25 years in prison....
They blasted his once-high-flying lifestyle, belittled his claims of innocence and branded him an “overgrown frat boy” fueled by greed and avarice.
At minimum, Wilkes should receive no less than 16 years and eight months in prison, prosecutors said. That would be exactly twice the length of the sentence Cunningham received after pleading guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion.
Wilkes should get a longer sentence because he was the “architect” of the scheme and his profit was fatter and lack of remorse far greater than Cunningham's, prosecutors said. They describe the disgraced former Republican congressman from Rancho Santa Fe as “a broken old soldier” and Wilkes as an “unrepentant war profiteer.”
Prosecutors said Cunningham should be blamed for his role, but in a footnote said, “There can be little doubt Wilkes was the spider, and Cunningham the fly, in this web of corruption.”
The metaphors abound. Cunningham the broken old fly, Wilkes the unrepentant spider.
Earlier, probation officials had recommended a 60-year sentence for Wilkes. But it will be up to the judge on Tuesday.
Josh
Zachary
What happened to the 60 year sentence?
These people who bribe politicians, contractors and lobbyists) are a threat to national security. Just look at the Coast Guard contract.
February 16, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
How old is he? Might he die in jail? I feel really bad about my emotional reaction to that idea.
February 16, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am going to be so not happy if Judge Burns lets Wilkes out on appeal.
On a slightly different note, do you think the Feds caught Dusty Foggo taking bribes from someone other than Wilkes? I've always suspected that Foggo was generally on the take, given his position and the temptations and all.
February 16, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
25 years is not long enough.
February 16, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The guy is no Ken Lay.
He IS bad guy, but he didn't injure anyone or even steal anyone's pension. In my book, 25 year sentences should be reserved for violent criminals and those who have left others destitute.
The guy looks like he's in his 50's. 25 years with prison medicine, he could easily die in jail. Even the 16 minimum could be a life sentence. This guy definitely doesn't deserve a life sentence.
Were I the judge, I'd give him 10 inside and another 10 years of community service in DC. . His grandkids could see him, but wouldn't be able to retire on the beach.
Why the hell does he deserve more time than Duke Cunningham? There are 100 lobbyists to every politician. I'd be more OK with Duke getting a sentence like this. The harshest sentences should be reserved for the politicians that actually took the bribes.
February 16, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
25 years is a good start. But if he gets or serves half that much, I'll be surprised.
Gotta wonder, tho, if he started singing on some other folks, like in the Oval Office, how much his time would be reduced?
Look for a presidential pardon. After all, what does Bush have to lose? He already has the reputation of being the worst president this nation has ever had.
You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignornant one to deny it.
February 16, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
M Stevens — Your response to the human level of Wilkes' situation is admirable. Compassion and willingness to forgive are evolved traits, and your display of them indicates that you are a person of good character.
But it's important to remember that Wilkes lined his own pockets on the backs of our soldiers and taxpayers, and that his corruption has done real harm to the nation, to its finances, and its body politic. A strong sentence is the only way you'll discourage this kind of behavior in the future.
February 16, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
First of all, Wilkes managed to divert $46 million.... could have gone to emergency services, medical transplants, body armor for troops. This could have caused the deaths of many lives.
It is a fact that, as a minimum, it caused further erosion of our democracy, which as it is going, will most likely cause severe problems for our future kids, grandkids, etc.
It is also treasonous. To divert funds from the defense deprtment in time of war at one time was most likely a capital offense.
Having said that, Cunningham got off easy. All the above also applied to him, along with an oat to the American public, something he just plain disregarded to further his own goals.
Remember also that Cunningham initiated (according to the media reports) many of the payoffs and behaviors by Wilkes.
Being a Congressman, however, got him off easy... IMHO
February 16, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really think that people who commit crimes against the nation, especially white collar crime, should do some very stiff time. This type of crime is very premeditated and pretty much says a person found guilty of such a crime doesn't give a hoot about this country or about all the hard working Americans who play by the rules. It implies a disregard for equality on any basis. I just find so many things wrong with it. Companies that make and sell militay hardware or other services to our armed forces are entitled to a profit but persons who seek a profit relative to the nations defense where none is entitled is quite another thing. Playing upon the misfortunes of the nation in this way is a low as it gets. Lock 'em up and throw away the key is just fine.
I suspect there are some people who work in the WH that merit similar treatment. Unfortunately we can't find anyone willing to apply our laws to those persons. I happen to think they've committed the worst white collar crime imaginable. And thinking about it objectively the persons who are legally required to apply the law in such an instance are no less guilty.
Looking from the outside in this has the unmistakable appearance of a wide ranging criminal enterprise if ever there was one. I refer here to one of the most significant powers of the Speaker of the House, the power of impeachment, that was abandoned by speaker Pelosi. Nobody in their right mind would ever give up such a power unless that person was seriously compromised in some way. We've never had such a circumstance occur throughout our history and to have it occur now under such peculiar circumstances raises serious questions that demand an answer. Absent that answer I am left with little choice except to completely mistrust and hold in contempt the entire federal government. All Americans need to recognize and acknowledge there is something seriously wrong here. This requires no investigation at all. The events and circumstances speak for themselves.
February 17, 2008 2:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
The politicians that take bribes ( dUKESTER ) to give money to bogus DOD contractors & programs ( Wilkes) especially in the context of a shooting war -( with soldiers dying because of among other shortfalls -hillbilly armour ), are in my opinion traitors that deserve the harshest of treatment.
Does any one know the status of the investigation of other corrupt politicians that sit on the House Armed Services Committee ? I recall that former Chairman lEWIS fired some one hundred investigators before the Democrcatic Party took over in 2006 .
February 17, 2008 8:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
It takes two people to commit these crimes, simply vilifying Brent Wilkes is like blaming the pusher for the fact that people are buying his drugs. Brent is as much a victim of a system that rewards this behavior as the politicians that were using him.
Not saying he isn't guilty, nor that he isn't a criminal, just that we have a political environment--unfortunately--that encourages quid pro quo behavior. Money for votes, simple as that.
Not sure that there is a solution for this, but sunshine is a great disinfectant.
February 17, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
One thing at a time.
Giving Wilkes a harsh sentence that is actually punitive might be the only thing to deter as-yet-undiscovered or wannabe bribers and profiteers pause before they cozy up to the next congressman (or woman, but name me some women implicated in this stuff).
Take this step with Wilkes, and the temptation for members of Congress is less available. Add on much stricter rules about lobbying after leaving office, and this solves another problem.
Without the promise of big bucks after election and leaving office, maybe fewer morally compromisable people will run for office, leaving room for those who (wonder of wonders) actually want to serve the people.
Hey, if you don't dream it first, there absolutely NO chance of its happening.
February 17, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fixing this sentence:
Giving Wilkes a harsh sentence that is actually punitive might be the only thing to deter as-yet-undiscovered or wannabe bribers and profiteers or give them pause before they cozy up to the next congressman ....
February 17, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
25 years or 60 years, I predict he'll serve about one year, then King George will pardon him on his way out.
d b
February 17, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
WHy do they never take the money. He stole 46 million. Take 46 million back. HE goes to ajil but leaves a legacy to his family that crime pays, and very well I might add. Take the money his citizen ship and then put him in jail.
February 19, 2008 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink