Financier Thomas Kontogiannis
Sentenced to 97 Months’ Imprisonment for
Laundering Bribes for Former Congressman Randall “Duke” Cunningham
United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt
announced that today United States District Judge Larry
A. Burns sentenced Thomas Kontogiannis to serve 97
months in custody, pay a $1,050,000 fine, and serve
three years of supervised release following his release
from custody. Kontogiannis pled guilty in February
2007 to one count of Engaging in Monetary Transaction
in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activities
in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1957, for his involvement in laundering bribe money
for then-Congressman Randall “Duke” Cunningham.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Valerie H. Chu,
Jason A. Forge, and Phillip L.B. Halpern, who prosecuted
the case, Kontogiannis operated a massive fraud and
money-laundering enterprise, which he used to help
Cunningham by laundering hundreds of thousands in bribes
from defense contractors, including Brent Wilkes.
United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt stated, “Mr.
Kontogiannis operated on the other side of the country,
but today’s sentence confirms that no one is
above the law or beyond its reach.” 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
fabric of this great nation was weaved by good men
and women committed to the idea that the people would
be represented fairly. Public corruption tears at every
thread of that fabric. The FBI is committed to aggressively
pursuing those who bribe public officials for the purpose
of seeing their personal interests fulfilled to the
detriment of the common good.”
“Today’s sentencing marks the end to yet
another chapter in the public corruption story book,” said
Catherine D. Tucker, Acting Special Agent in Charge,
IRS-Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Those
individuals who are brazen enough to buy our elected
officials for their own personal financial gain will
be brought to justice. IRS Criminal Investigators will
continue to work in partnership with our fellow law
enforcement officers and ensure the public’s
confidence in our tax and political systems.”
“Public corruption is always unacceptable, but
it is especially detestable when a U.S. Congressman
is involved. While the vast majority of public officials
are honest and committed to serving their fellow citizens,
some choose to abuse the public trust. Corruption of
this nature strikes at the heart of good government
and erodes public confidence," said Rick Gwin,
Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative
Service (DCIS), Western Field Office.
The Court ordered Kontogiannis remanded immediately
into custody to begin serving his sentence.
DEFENDANT Case No. 07cr0423LAB
Thomas Kontogiannis
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957 - Engaging
in Monetary Transaction in Property Derived from
Specified Unlawful Activities
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
