Imprisoned gop Accuses Judge Of Taking All His Bribe Money Also

Duke to Judge: “You can only push a man so far, your honor”

The gigantic ego that is former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham has written an angry letter to his sentencing judge, complaining that the IRS is “killing” him and his family by seizing his remaining savings. Cunningham insists that as a highly decorated veteran, he deserves far better.

Read Duke’s Letter (.pdf)

Writing from his minimum security Arizona prison, Cunningham tells Judge Larry Burns that he never would have pleaded guilty to taking bribes from a defense contractor and evading taxes in 2005 had he known the IRS — which he refers to at one point as the “KGB IRS” — would “renig” (sic) on the agreement and “keep me in poverty for the rest of my life.”

The IRS has taken everything I have worked for during my nearly 70 years. They have taken over or we have paid over 2.75 million dollars in assets, cash homes, cars, earnings and retirement. After 40 years teaching, my wife is living hand to mouth & staying in her 2-bedroom grandmother’s home. You can only push a man so far your honor. As one of the most highly decorated veterans in the history ^{see note} of this nation and a lifetime of service yes I made mistakes but that does not include killing me and my family.

Judge Burns responded to Cunningham in a letter dated Aug. 4, explaining that the money confiscated from Cunningham’s retirement and congressional pension was seized by the IRS to collect back taxes owed on the bribes he received in 2003 and 2004.

Duke’s defense attorney, K. Lee Blalack, had no comment.