Investigator: Cunningham Used Classified Appropriations to Aid Friends

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An outside investigator hired by the House Intelligence Committee reported that imprisoned former congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham slipped “earmarks” into classified appropriations bills as a way to toss federal contracts to friends with virtually no oversight. Details of the bills are kept secret, even from members of Congress not on the committee. Committee Chair Peter Hoekstra, R-MI, said he commissioned to study to learn how Cunningham had misused his seat on the committee to amend the legislation. (7/24/06)