Thirteen House members subpoenaed by man charged in bribery case

Thirteen House members have received subpoenas from the lawyer to Brent Wilkes, a defense contractor facing charges relating to the bribery conviction of now-incarcerated congressman "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA).

According to Congressional Quarterly, the 13 are teaming up to fight the subpoenas, saying the requests are "overly broad."

They intend to fight the subpoenas," a source told the news service. As we understand it, Wilkes lawyer is also trying to subpoena other government officials. The subpoenas say very little about what they are after.

The 13 lawmakers have joined forces behind the scenes to try to fight the wave of subpoenas they have received in recent days from an attorney for Wilkes. Wilkes lawyer, Mark Geragos, has asked for information relating to his client's trial.

Five lawmakers received subpoenas for documents and testimony, according to CQ. Those are: House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO), House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX); Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA); House Defense Appropriations Chairman John Murtha (D-PA); and ranking House Appropriations Republican Jerry Lewis (R-CA).

Joe Kasper, a spokesman for for Rep. Duncan Hunter, told RAW STORY by email that Hunter had been advised by House General Counsel that the subpoena was "inconsistent with the precedents and privileges of the House." Hunter is the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee and a candidate for president.

"Congressman Hunter intends to continue consulting with House Counsel on this matter and will proceed according to their judgment," Kasper said.

A spokeswoman for Rep. Skelton confirmed the Congressman had received a subpoena, but said Skelton was not prepared to comment on an ongoing criminal investigation.

Other members were served subpoenas requesting only testimony.

Among them were: House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), erstwhile House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI); Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rep John Doolittle (R-CA), Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL), and Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA).

Cunningham was sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting more than $2m in bribes. As a onetime top-flight aviator, he was the inspiration for the movie Top Gun.



