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He resigned on November 28, 2005, when it was found that he had been receiving illicit bribes totalling $2.4 million.  This included receiving luxury gifts like a yacht (reportedly called the "Duke Stir") and expensive jewelry.  Since he didn't report accepting bribes to the IRS, he underreported his income for 2004.

He resigned on November 28, 2005, when it was found that he had been receiving illicit bribes totalling $2.4 million.  This included receiving luxury gifts like a yacht (reportedly called the "Duke Stir") and expensive jewelry.  Since he didn't report accepting bribes to the IRS, he underreported his income for 2004.

Cunningham denied the charges at first, but later repented and came clean with a tearful and moving apology to his family, friends, and constituents. The bribes were received by Randall Cunningham in exchange for lucrative defense contracts for the Pentagon to local California contractors and businessmen. On March 3, 2006, he received a sentence of eight years and four months in prison and an order to pay $1.8 million in restitution<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/index.html</ref>.

Cunningham denied the charges at first, but later repented and came clean with a tearful and moving apology to his family, friends, and constituents. The bribes were received by Randall Cunningham in exchange for lucrative defense contracts for the Pentagon to local California contractors and businessmen. On March 3, 2006, he received a sentence of eight years and four months in prison and an order to pay $1.8 million in restitution.<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/index.html</ref>

Cunningham was succeeded by former congressman [[Brian Bilbray]], also a Republican, following a special election.

Cunningham was succeeded by former congressman [[Brian Bilbray]], also a Republican, following a special election.

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==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.acepilots.com/vietnam/cunningham.html Randy Cunningham: F-4 Phantom Pilot and Navy Ace] at AcePilots.com

*[http://www.acepilots.com/vietnam/cunningham.html Randy Cunningham: F-4 Phantom Pilot and Navy Ace] at AcePilots.com

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkKbOtedzoQ Computer re-enactment of Duke's last air battle] at Youtube.

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkKbOtedzoQ Computer re-enactment of Duke's last air battle] at Youtube.

==Further Reading==

==Further reading==

''Fox Two: The Story of America’s First Ace in Vietnam'', by Randy Cunningham, Mesa, Ariz.: Champlin Fighter Museum, 1989.  

''Fox Two: The Story of America’s First Ace in Vietnam'', by Randy Cunningham, Mesa, Ariz.: Champlin Fighter Museum, 1989.