Former Republican Congressman, Duke Cunningham,  pleaded guilty last Nov. 28 to conspiracy, evading more than $1 million in taxes, and taking up to $2.4 million in bribes.  Today he was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in Federal Prison (this ain’t no country club, boys).  Cunningham has held office in Congress in the affluent Rancho Santa Fe district, located in the San Diego burbs, since 1990.

Prosecutors recommended a 10-year prison sentence for the Dukester saying he "bullied" Pentagon officials to award contracts to defense contractors who bribed him. He extorted millions of dollars from contractors for his vote in Congress.

Prosecutors did not recommend the maximum 20-year sentence because Cunningham is cooperating in an investigation that has identified 4 co-conspirators not yet identified.  More corruption is to come.

Cunningham’s attorneys argued 10 years was unreasonable since no member of Congress has ever received a sentence as long as six years, however the judge has sense enough to make the punishment fit the crime.

A yacht, the mansion deal, a Rolls Royce, and other items were brought in court as evidence against him.  Cunning even had the balls to concoct a “bribe menu” scribbled on a note card detailing how much money would get what.  Guess he didn’t guard his napkins as closely as he should have.

The NY Times reported the Dukster said, "I made a very wrong turn," as he faced Federal District Judge Larry Alan Burns.  Even bleeding-heart liberals can’t squeeze out a drop for this thief.