Duke Briber Gets 12 Year Prison Sentence

Brent Wilkes, a former California defense contractor who bribed imprisoned ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.), was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison.

"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," reported the San Diego Union Tribune.

The newspaper first uncovered the relationship between Cunningham and another former gov't contractor, Mitchell Wade, who has also pled guilty to bribing Cunningham. Wilkes' illicit relationship with was uncovered by the federal investigation into Cunningham's activities. Wade, who has not been sentenced yet, is cooperating with investigators.

Federal prosecutors were seeking a far longer prison term for Wilkes, who maintained who was innocent throughout his trial, but U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns decided that the Justice Department recommendation was too harsh.

Wilkes and Wade paid Cunningham more than $2.4 million in bribes, including cash, trips, gifts and, on at least one occasion, prostitute, in return for which,the former GOP lawmaker steered tens of millions of dollars in federal earmarks to their firms.