Want A Piece Of Corrupt 'Duke's' Loot?

Few people can live like a king, but today's auction of furniture owned by a corrupt lawmaker provides bidders the chance to at least live like a congressman.

At a Los Angeles-area warehouse, the Persian rugs, marble-topped antique tables and silver-plated candelabras owned by ex-Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham are for sale today to the highest bidder.

Much of the valuable furniture was given to Cunningham by defense contractors in exchange for steering business their way. Cunningham pleaded guilty to accepting $2.5 million in bribes and has begun serving an eight-year prison term.

The former Navy pilot's assets were forfeited after he admitted in November taking bribes from defense contractors in return for influencing the awarding of military contracts, CBS News affiliate KFMB reports.

Money from the sale will go to pay Cunningham's back taxes and restitution, along with money from the sale of his mansion, Rolls-Royce and yacht.

Any proceeds from the auction will go into the Internal Revenue Service's Treasury Asset Forfeiture Fund and will be spilt among agencies that investigated the case, KFMB reports.

Much thinner than when he pleaded guilty in November — he said he has gone from 265 pounds to 175 pounds since June — Cunningham had asked to see his 91-year-old mother one last time before going to prison, but was denied.

CBS Radio News reports that Cunningham's attorney argued the former congressman should be spared the maximum ten-year sentence because he is older and in poor health. His attorney says Cunningham has prostate cancer and could die behind bars.