WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Rep. Randy Cunningham, R-Calif., wore a wire to help prosecutors get evidence against others in the corruption scheme that drove him from office.
Citing sources familiar with the investigation Time magazine reported Friday that Cunningham began cooperating with prosecutors who were looking into his dealings with defense contractors, and wore a wire at some point between that time and Nov. 28, 2005, when the government announced he had pleaded guilty to corruption charges.
Cunningham resigned from Congress and faces up to 10 years in prison, after pleading guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy charges involving bribes from military contractors. The case against him centered on the sale of his Southern California house for $1.67 million to defense contractor Mitchell Wade, who sold it eight months later at a $700,000 loss.
Prosecutors charge the transaction was a bribe. In all, the former Navy fighter pilot pleaded guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes.
The names of those with whom Cunningham met while wearing the wire were not known, but were the focus of furious -- and nervous -- speculation among congressional Republicans, Time said.
