LOS ANGELES: US congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a senior Californian Republican, broke down as he resigned yesterday after pleading guilty in court to taking bribes, including cash, a yacht and a Rolls-Royce.
There is nothing surprising about another Republican (or Democrat) politician taking bribes from defense contractors in return for Pentagon contracts. What is a surprise, a shock even, is a guilty plea.
I dont forgive Cunningham for forsaking our trust but I have to respect him for admitting what he did. No one, ever, pleads guilty. You can watch old black & white movies and imagine a time when people admitted wrong doing but these days everyone fights; No matter what your crime, there is always a chance your lawyer can get you off. Everyone follows Scooter Libby's lead: Deny, deny, deny.
Getting on the stand and saying yes, i did it, i feel terrible, i am guilty, take me to prison. Now that is truly shocking.
Cunningham denied any wrongdoing in July. But yesterday he said he was deeply sorry and ashamed. He said he would co-operate in the government investigation of at least four defence contractors.
"I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office. I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, most importantly, the trust of my friends and family," he said, choking back tears.
Cunningham had already said he would not seek re-election in 2006. He will be sentenced on February 27 when he faces up to 10 years in prison.
His guilty plea followed months of investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the criminal investigative arm of the Pentagon, the FBI and federal prosecutors.
We talk a lot about accountability in the White House and elsewhere but this act of contrition is one of the few examples of anyone in the public eye demonstrating it.
