Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, naval aviator and corrupt appropriator, dies at 83

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Roll Call

Posted August 29, 2025 at 4:56am


Former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, an ace naval aviator who resigned from Congress in disgrace after pleading guilty to corruption charges, died Wednesday at age 83. The San Diego Union Tribune reported that Cunningham died at a hospital in Little Rock, Ark., following an illness.

Cunningham, a California Republican, joined the Navy at age 25 and during the Vietnam War became the first “ace,” an honor given to combat pilots who shoot down five enemy planes.

First elected to Congress in 1990, Cunningham served eight terms until he resigned on Dec. 1, 2005, after he pleaded guilty to corruption charges. He held seats on the Appropriations and Intelligence committees at the time of his departure

In pleading guilty, Cunningham admitted to accepting at least $2.4 million in bribes. That included about $1 million in cash as well as rugs, antiques, furniture, yacht club fees, boat repairs, moving costs and vacation expenses, in exchange for using his appropriations role to obtain earmarks on behalf of defense contractors.

Read more: https://rollcall.com/2025/08/29/randy-duke-cunningham-naval-aviator-and-corrupt-appropriator-dies-at-83/

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Blast from the past!

[Justice Brandeis]

1. He was a very bad man.

He called gays in the military "homos" on the House floor.

[Jimvanhise]

2. HE WAS COOPERATING WITH THE FBI UNTIL. . .

In prison he gave interviews to the FBI in exchange for some time off. He was paid by defense contractors to get them Government contracts. But when he was asked about private parties where the contractors provided prostitutes, he stopped talking.

[EYESORE 9001]

7. The Epstein/Trump Escort Service was flying high during that time

Name names!

[IcyPeas]

3. He was ahead of his time. He'd fit right into today's repukes.

Nothing ever changes. So much corruption in government. $$$

[Wonder Why]

4. Another excuse for a major miltary parade. Soon there will be Honor a Criminal Day!

[WhiteTara]

5. Did we ever get the money back that he stole?

[BaronChocula]

6. 83 years too late n/t

[Liberty Belle]

8. This is same district that elected Duncan D Hunter (also pardoned by Trump) and

Darrell Issa, named by CREW as the most corrupt member of Congress.

Sadly voters here have a very slow learning curve.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Well hopefully the voters will allow the new map to go forward

and that district, along with Issa, will be bye bye!

[DrMJG10]

10. Sorry to say

I was highly aware of him for all of the time I lived in San Diego. His office ignored emails and calls I made to voice opinions; he was clearly accepting bribes.

As paraphrase what is often said, I wish no man to die, but there are some obits I do enjoy reading.

[gopiscrap]

11. fuck him

hope rots in hell