Former Republican Congressman Randall Harold "Duke" Cunningham has died at the age of 83, according to media reports.

Born in 1941, Cunningham was a decorated fighter pilot in the Vietnam War, and is often credited as the inspiration for the Tom Cruise character Maverick in "Top Gun."

After being elected to Congress in 1991, Cunningham pled guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion after taking $2.4 million in bribes in return for influencing the awarding of Defense Department contracts.

He was sentenced to over eight years in prison in 2006, being released in 2013 and receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump in 2021.

His death was reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

See Full Page