LOCAL 8 :: KFMB Stations, San Diego, California | Cunningham's Lawyers Say Home Seizure Illegal

Last Updated:
09-07-05 at 12:49PM

Lawyers for Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham are claiming that the federal government acted illegally in trying to seize a Rancho Santa Fe home that the congressman is trying to sell.

Cunningham is being investigated for the sale of a Del Mar home to a Washington, D.C. defense contractor that was well above market price. Federal prosecutors claim the dealings amount to bribery.

According to the North County Times, Cunningham used proceeds from that sale to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Fe, which is now listed at $3.5 million.

The congressman's lawyers claim U.S. attorneys in San Diego violated the law when they filed a lis pendens – a notice that the government had filed a civil suit against the property, then sealed and didn't serve Cunningham with notice of the suit, according to the paper.

Cunningham's lawyers say the government's actions have led to a number of 'low-ball' offers to buy the property.