Mitchell Wade

Who is Mitchell Wade?

Mitchell J. Wade is an American defense contractor implicated in the events that led to the 2005 resignation of U.S. Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

Wade founded the defense contracting firm MZM Inc., in 1993. On February 24, 2006, he pleaded guilty to paying then Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for millions more in government contracts. Wade was one of four co-conspirators mentioned in Cunningham's plea agreement of November 28, 2005. In addition to Wade, the three other co-conspirators are: Brent R. Wilkes, founder of San Diego-based ADCS Inc.; New York businessman Thomas Kontogiannis; and John T. Michael, Kontogiannis' nephew.