Thomas Kontogiannis
Thomas Kontogiannis, a Long Island-based businessman, is named as "Co-conspirator #3" in California GOP Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham's guilty plea. He is a friend of Cunningham, and uncle to John T. Michael, "Co-conspirator #4." He pled guilty to bribery charges in February 2007 and faces a maximum of ten years in prison.
See Kontogiannis' Grand Ole Docket entry for ongoing court dates.
Key Points:
Kontogiannis paid more than $800,000 in bribes, facilitating $1 million more in corrupt payments.
In December 2001, Kontogiannis paid the $200,000 down payment for Cunningham's Alexandria, Va. condominium by directing the money to Coastal Capital Corporation, of which his nephew, John T. Michael (who is named as “Coconspirator #4” in the Cunningham plea), was the president. Kontogiannis also told his nephew to have Coastal Capital pay $150,000 for Cunningham’s condo (Kontogiannis Plea).
In 2002, Kontigiannis bought Cunningham’s yacht, the “Kelly C,” for a price that was significantly above market value. Although Cunningham had paid $200,000 for it, Kontogiannis bought it for $600,000 and called it a “steal.” Although Kontogiannis did not particularly want a boat, he bought it anyways to remain on favorable terms with Cunningham (Kontogiannis Plea).
In September 2002, Kontogiannis paid $20,000 to Cunningham (Cunningham Plea).
In November 2002, Kontogiannis paid $70,000 to Cunningham. (Cunningham Plea)
In November 2003, Kontogiannis directed Michael to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Fe, California for Cunningham via Coastal Capital. Michael’s company purchased the Ranco Santa Fe home in two installments: one for $595,000 and one for $500,000 (Kontogiannis Plea).
In May 2004, when Cunningham could not pay back the first $500,000 installment (which Cunningham ensured would be paid, so that Kontogiannis and Michael could pay the second mortgage), Kontogiannis and Michael engaged in fraudulent mortgage deals for homes that were not actually built in order to generate cash to pay off Cunningham’s second mortgage payment (Kontogiannis Plea).
In May 2004, Kontogiannis then received a payment of $500,000 from Brent Wilkes, who wired the money to Kontogiannis’ Parkview Financial company. Wilkes told his company’s controller to list the transaction as an “investment” (Wilkes/Michael Indictment).
In August 2004, Kontogiannis accepted two checks from Cunningham totaling $500,000 and deposited them into his Parkview Financial company’s account (Kontogiannis Plea). These checks were paid by Mitchell Wade, who wrote two checks to Cunningham’s Top Gun Enterprises (Wilkes/Michael Indictment).
Between November 2004 and June 2005, Kontogiannis paid approximately $30,000 for Cunningham’s Rancho Santa Fe mortgage payments.
In exchange for these financial favors, expected Cunningham to acquire favorable government contracts for Kontogiannis' company. Cunningham also introduced Kontogiannis to influential world leaders.
Kontogiannis wanted Cunningham to help on the sale of fighter jets to his native Greece, according to the FBI.
In 2004, Kontogiannis accompanied Cunningham on a $10,000 trip to Saudi Arabia funded by a Saudi-American businessman and met with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. It was unclear who paid for Kontogiannis to go to Saudi Arabia. Kontogiannis also accompanied Cunningham twice to the White House and kept a picture of himself and President Bush in his home.
Kontogiannis also asked Cunningham to protect him from his legal troubles.
In 2000, Kontogiannis was being investigated for bribing school officials in Queens, New York to obtain a computer contract. Cunningham wrote to the prosecutors handling the investigation that there was a political agenda behind the charges. He also wrote that he had filed a congressional inquiry related to the matter. Kontogiannis ultimately pled guilty to misdemeanor fraud charges. In 2002, Kontogiannis asked for Cunningham's help in obtaining a presidential pardon. The pardon was never attained.
Research by Tanvir Vahora.
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