Duke Cunningham

Randall Harold Cunningham ( born December 8, 1941 in Los Angeles ) is a former American soldier, Republican congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives and CNN reporter.

Life

In 1956 he graduated from high school. 1959 to 1960 he studied at the Kirksville Teacher's College, then at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he in 1964 received the degree Bachelor in Education. A year later he received the degree of Master of Arts in Education. He then became sports teacher and coach for the swimming team of Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale (Illinois ). 1967-1987 he served in the U.S. Navy, first as a fighter pilot. He participated in the Vietnam War. His last rank was Commander ( Commander ). His awards include, among other things, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star (2 × ) and the Purple Heart. He qualified as a flying ace because of his kills in Vietnam. From 1991 to 2005 he was a member of the 50th Congressional District in the House of Representatives of the United States ( Republican).

During his tenure, he brought among other things, the successful Shark Finning Prohibition Bill in the U.S. Congress, which forbade cutting off shark fins, known as the Shark finning in all U.S. waters. Also behind the proposal of the Flag Desecration Amendment Cunningham was a driving force.

On 28 November 2005 Cunningham confessed among other things, tax evasion and bribery and resigned from his post. Cunningham was involved in fraudulent activities between the Department of Defense and a number of supplier firms and to $ 2.4 million have received bribes. He admitted to have it conveys arms sales to friends and donors choice.

On 3 March 2006 he was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison and $ 1.8 million penalty for corruption. The prosecutor had previously sought the maximum sentence of ten years. The penalty imposed by the court penalty is one of the highest that has ever spoken out against a congressman.