Brent Wilkes Convicted Of Bribing Congressman

SAN DIEGO - A federal jury on Monday convicted defense contractor Brent Roger Wilkes of bribing now-imprisoned U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham with more than $700,000 in exchange for the congressman's steering more than $80 million in Pentagon contracts to Wilkes' company, ADCS, of Poway.

Wilkes was convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. He paid Cunningham with money, travel, boats and lodging and the services of prostitutes, and lied about it, as did Cunningham.

Wilkes, 52, faces up to 45 years in prison and more than $1 million in fines. U.S. District Judge Larry Burns will sentence Wilkes on Jan. 28.

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