KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Cunningham interceded with prosecutor on behalf of developer

WASHINGTON An attorney for California Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham is defending a letter Cunningham wrote to prosecutors on behalf of a New York developer.

The letter to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown suggested that Thomas Kontogiannis, who was under investigation in a bribery and kickback scheme, might be the victim of a political agenda against a school official also under investigation. Attorney Lee Blalack says the letter did not urge any action or outcome of any kind and was not improper or unethical.

Kontogiannis later bought Cunningham's boat and helped finance his house and condo.

Cunningham's business dealings are under investigation by a federal grand jury in San Diego.

He has denied any wrongdoing.