Friday, February 24, 2006
MZM's Wade Plans Guilty Plea in Cunningham Case
The Randy "Duke" Cunningham bribery scandal is claiming another scalp:
Washington defense contractor Mitchell J. Wade is expected to enter a guilty plea in federal court here this morning for his role in the bribery-related case involving former Rep. Randall "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), according to sources familiar with the investigation.Wade, who founded District-based MZM Inc., started cooperating months ago in the inquiry of Cunningham's alleged trading of "earmarks" in congressional appropriations for $2.4 million in cash, furniture, boats and house payments, sources said. The probe began last June after the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Wade bought Cunningham's San Diego home and then resold it months later for a $700,000 loss. A short time later, another newspaper reported that the congressman also was living rent-free on Wade's 42-foot yacht while in Washington...
Wade is also expected to acknowledge that he attempted to improperly influence a Defense Department contracting and procurement official with inducements and gifts, including offers to hire members of his family, the sources said.
The plea agreement will note also how Wade and his employees gave tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to two other House members. There is no indication that the House members face any liability.
No liability?
That means Wade didn't get his money's worth from the two other House members.
Smart guys.
