Eight years for convicted lawmaker
The week's news at a glance.
San Diego
Former U.S. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham was sentenced last week to eight years and four months in prison for taking $2.4 million in bribes. It was the longest sentence ever handed down for a member or former member of Congress in a corruption case. Prosecutors laid out the evidence that persuaded the California Republican to plead guilty, including a “bribe menu” on Cunningham’s congressional letterhead that detailed how much federal funding Cunningham would offer contractors in exchange for cash and gifts. During his 15-year congressional career, Cunningham acquired a house, cars, antiques, and luxury vacations. “I made a very wrong turn,” said Cunningham, 64. “No man has ever been more sorry.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Ukraine: Trump's mixed messages
Feature Trump reverses a Pentagon freeze on Patriot missiles to Ukraine as Russia ramps up air attacks
-
Diddy: An abuser who escaped justice?
Feature The jury cleared Sean Combs of major charges but found him guilty of lesser offenses
-
Death from above: Drones upend rules of war in Ukraine
Feature The world's militaries are paying close attention to drone use in the Russia-Ukraine war