Judge to unseal transcripts from secret hearing for Cunningham co-conspirator

By: TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writer | Wednesday, August 29, 2007 11:04 PM PDT ∞

Most of what was said during four days of secret court hearings for an admitted conspirator of former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham will soon be made public.

U.S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns, who is overseeing the criminal case against New York businessman Thomas Kontogiannis, ordered portions of the transcripts from secret hearings in the case unsealed. His order to open the files came a week after a federal appeals court agreed with Burns' earlier inclination to make public most -- but not all -- of the transcripts.

"The court orders the unsealing and public release of the unredacted portions of the transcripts of the proceedings in this case on Feb. 21, 22 and 23, 2007, and April 24, 2007," reads Burns' short order, issued Monday.

Just how much will be kept still under seal is unclear.

The transcripts from Kontogiannis' case have been at the center of a legal tug of war for months, with government prosecutors fighting to keep them under wraps.

When Burns agreed in June to make the transcripts public, prosecutors took their battle to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals -- which rejected their arguments, and last week ordered the transcripts unsealed.

It is unclear why federal prosecutors opposed the release of the transcripts; they have not stated their reasons in open court.

Attorneys associated with the case declined comment or could not be reached Tuesday.

The North County Times has requested a copy of the recently unsealed transcripts, but they were not available to be released to the paper Wednesday.

Kontogiannis pleaded guilty in February to bribery for illegally helping finance the former congressman's purchase of a $2.5 million Rancho Santa Fe mansion.

-- Contact staff writer Teri Figueroa at (760) 631-6624 or tfigueroa@nctimes.com.

9 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

It's about time. wrote on Aug 30, 2007 6:04 AM:Put them ALL in jail.

Harry wrote on Aug 30, 2007 6:24 AM: I suspect that the contents of these transcripts will suggest or reveal some of the mechanizations of the Rovian gestapo. We know that the Department of Justice is part of the propaganda and enforcement arm of this White House. Secrecy is one of their favorite tools.

Amanda wrote on Aug 30, 2007 6:34 AM:Hey Terry maybe the prosecutors wanted the transcripts sealed because they want to go after more people and/or they don’t want people to study their strategic line of questioning? By the way please POST the records, they should be better then a John Grisham book.

Hunter / Cunningham '08 wrote on Aug 30, 2007 7:48 AM:Don't believe any of this. It's all a plot by that evil liberal media.

Geraldo wrote on Aug 30, 2007 9:29 AM:So the Republican party is not only the party of the crook like Cunningham and Nye it is also the party of the closet queens like Craig. The most self righteous are always the most corrupt.

Larry wrote on Aug 30, 2007 2:17 PM:I think it's about time for the do-gooders to stand down. Release state secrets to convince they did the right thing, please don't. I believe nobody is above the law, but I would like to see the do-gooders disclose their perfect life. How much dope, or what they have done wrong in their history for such a sentative position. Throw out the kids with the bath water is not a good practice. Using the wrongs of elected officials to make your name, you must disclose your background to see if you are worthy of the public trust. Let us Citizens know all the facts about anyone with sensitive positions, we and not the press will make good decisions.

Curley and Moe wrote on Aug 30, 2007 4:39 PM:"What?"

Evil Liberal Media wrote on Aug 30, 2007 4:54 PM:Do vote for Hunter/Cunningham 08. Continue the downfall of America. Keep all the Bushies in power but watch out in the bathrooms.

Hunter / Cunningham '08 wrote on Aug 30, 2007 7:52 PM:Don't think we'll get a chance to vote for Hunter / Cunningham in '08, but the bumper stickers are a lot of fun, especially here in North County where an alarming number of people still believe in the virgin birth of Randy "Duke" Cunningham (despite confessions, convictions and such reported in the evil liberal media).

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, email addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.

Submit Comment[-]

(optional)
   

Advertisement

Videos