BREAKING: Wilkes Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Bribing Cunningham

[L. Coyote]

Wilkes Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Bribing Cunningham
By Paul Kiel - February 19, 2008, 3:57PM - http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/wilkes_sentenced_to_12_years_f.php


So it appears that Brent Wilkes will get only a slightly more severe sentence than Duke Cunningham. Wilkes, convicted last year on all counts, was reportedly sentenced to 12 years in prison today -- prosecutors had asked for as much as 25 years and no fewer than 15. The probation officials had recommended as much as 60.

But Judge Larry Burns, for whatever reason, decided on 12. Cunningham himself was sentenced to a little more than 8 years after pleading guilty. We'll have more information when it's available.

Update: The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that "the judge disagreed with prosecutors who contended Wilkes masterminded the scheme." ..............

[Parche]

1. And Scooter Libby Gets A Pardon.......

:grr::grr: :grr:

:hi:

[madokie]

7. I say both wilkes and the duke will walk before the bush depart the wh

[defendandprotect]

2. Good thing he didn't smoke Marijuana . . .. !!!!

Narrow escape . . . !!!

Out in less than 3 years . . . I predict!!

[L. Coyote]

3. San Diego Union Tribune: Wilkes sentenced to 12 years in bribery scheme

"Prosecutors said Wilkes' decade-long bribery of the former congressman netted him $46 million. "

Wilkes sentenced to 12 years in bribery scheme
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 32 minutes ago - http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/20080219-1258-bn19wilkes.html
By Angelica Martinez SAN DIEGO – Brent Wilkes, the Poway defense contractor who federal prosecutors contend was the mastermind behind the largest ...

Contractor Sentenced in Cunningham Case The Associated Press - http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-1&fp=47bb270e3dfae1ff&ei=iky7R7_uEI-aqwOwjNiyAw&url=http%3A//ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gRUhowrjXrAojU5jM1zd2hyExSAQD8UTKCHO1&cid=1134350359

Contractor Gets Prison For Bribing Cunningham NBC Sandiego.com
Former Defense Contractor To Be Sentenced KGTV, 10News.com
United Press International
all 11 news articles » http://news.google.com/news?q=Brent+Wilkes

==================
By Angelica Martinez
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
12:58 p.m. February 19, 2008 - http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/20080219-1258-bn19wilkes.html

SAN DIEGO – Brent Wilkes, the Poway defense contractor who federal prosecutors contend was the mastermind behind the largest congressional bribery scheme in history, was sentenced to 12 years in prison Tuesday.

The hearing before U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns, was still going on early Tuesday afternoon.

Wilkes, 53, who had been free on bond, was convicted on Nov. 5 of conspiracy, bribery, fraud and money laundering in connection with the bribery scheme that brought down former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, a once highly respected war hero.

Cunningham pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion and was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison in March 2006.

Prosecutors said Wilkes' decade-long bribery of the former congressman netted him $46 million.

[sam sarrha]

4. someone got to the judge, that is the minimum. this is second to Treason only.. war profiteering i

bet some of our soldiers suffered or died because they siphoned money and made shortages limiting the purchase of Helmet Liners, body armour, radio IED jamers.. etc etc etc

[Hepburn]

5. 5th rec....

...not enough time, IMO.

[formercia]

6. I agree

He should have been made an example of. Oh, wait. He was made an example of how you can get away with murder and get a slap on the wrist if you have the right friends.

[Hepburn]

8. The guy still fairly young....

...made $46 mil from his crimes and with good behavior, I am betting he will be out before age 60...and thus have a good amount of time to spend all of the $$$$ he ripped off of the American tax payers.

Not enough time....at all....in sentencing him to only 12 years.

[formercia]

12. He claims to be dead broke.

I bet he will come up with funds to maintain a modestly comfortable lifestyle in prison.

[cascadiance]

9. These guys all KNOW something that the government is trying to cover up!

That's why they are getting off easy!

Makes you wonder if their buddy Thomas Kontogiannis will do ANY time at all after he plead guilty with a secret trial, etc. whereupon he vacationed in Greece along with some "secret" government officials unbeknownst the judge who just convicted him earlier.

Kontogiannis is now trying to claim that since he had open heart surgery that they should have mercy on him and not force him to do any time as he'd "die in prison" there.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/09/bribers-greek-v.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20080205-9999-1m5michael.html

I think these guys KNOW something that they are trying to keep covered up, and are trying to let them off as easy as they can to keep them from talking.

I still think that with the CIA's Dusty Foggo also involved, they were helping launder "super dolllar" counterfeit money minted by the CIA but being blamed on North Korea, as both the McClatchy Washington Bureau and a major German newspaper allege is a likely scenario.

[pleah]

10. I say check the judges bank records. Maybe he got some of the 46 million.

:sarcasm:

[L. Coyote]

11. Actually, check the transcript ... testimony ... to reduce the sentence.

I suspect, there is another generation of litigation to follow,
in part due to Wilkes cooperating to reduce his sentence.

Look out Jerry Lewis, et.al!