NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - November 5, 2007                                          

Defense Contractor Found Guilty Of Bribing Former Congressman Randall "Duke" Cunningham

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that today a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts against defense contractor Brent Roger Wilkes, who was accused of bribing former Congressman Randall "Duke" Cunningham. Wilkes was found guilty of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sanjay Bhandari, Valerie H. Chu, Jason A. Forge and Phillip L.B. Halpern, who prosecuted the case, Wilkes provided more than $700,000 to Cunningham. In return, Cunningham betrayed the public trust by corruptly directing government funds to Wilkes's company, ADCS, Inc., located in Poway, California. The evidence at trial established that Wilkes paid the bribes to Cunningham in the form of checks, wire transfers, meals, limousine service, corporate jet travel, lodging, furnishings, boats and marine equipment, vacations, entertainment and the services of prostitutes. Wilkes lied about and hid these benefits within his company, and Cunningham omitted them from the Financial Disclosure Statements that he filed with the U.S. House of Representatives. In return for receiving these bribes, Cunningham used his public office for nearly a decade to influence the awarding of more than $80 million in defense contract funds to Wilkes.

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt stated, "We are gratified by the jury's verdict and we greatly appreciate their diligent service on this case." According to U.S. Attorney Hewitt, "This case demonstrates our firm commitment that those who bribe federal officials shall face criminal consequences for their wrongdoing and any corrupt public official who accepts bribes shall face the same." United States Attorney Hewitt commended the outstanding work of the agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service who investigated this case.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter commented, "The FBI has always viewed public corruption as a serious threat to a democratic society. We remain resolute in our stance and will continue to uphold the ideals from which this great nation built its foundation by aggressively pursuing those who purposefully and willfully undermine a representative government."

"Today's guilty verdict demonstrates to the public that those individuals who attempt to buy our elected officials for their own personal financial benefit will be prosecuted," said Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Aimee Schabilion, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. "IRS Criminal Investigation will aggressively follow the money trail and do our part to combat public corruption." Charles W. Beardall, Director, Defense Criminal Investigative Service said, "We are extremely pleased at this outcome, which yet again sends the message that corruption will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. It clearly attests that those who buy and sell influence and compromise the integrity of the United States will face their day of reckoning. I particularly thank the special agents, prosecutors, and support personnel for their dedication and professionalism that brought this case to such an outstanding conclusion."

The defendant will be sentenced on January 28, 2008, at 9:30 a.m., by United States District Judge Larry A. Burns.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 07cr0330LAB
Brent Roger Wilkes Age: 52 Poway, California

SUMMARY OF CHARGES AND MAXIMUM PENALTIES:
COUNT 1 Conspiracy to commit Bribery, Honest Services Fraud, and Money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, which is punishable by 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

COUNTS 2-11 Honest Services Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 and 1346, which is punishable by 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. COUNT 13 Bribery of a Public Official in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, which is punishable by 15 years in prison and/or the greater of a $250,000 fine or three times the monetary equivalent of the bribe.

COUNT 14 Money Laundering ("concealment") in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(a)(1)(A)(I), which is punishable by 20 years in prison and/or the greater of a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division
Defense Criminal Investigative Service