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January 03, 2006
Abramoff Rolls
There was big, but not unexpected news out of Washington today -- fallen super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff cut a deal.
Under immense pressure once Michael Scanlon, his former business partner and Tom DeLay's former staffer, turned state's evidence, Abramoff today agreed to serve up to 10 years in prison in exchange for information which will likely spell doom for a number of Washington lawmakers, staffers and lobbyists.
One Member of Congress clearly in the Justice Department's crosshairs is Ohio Republican Bob Ney, referred to as "Representative 1" in case documents. Though Ney denies any wrongdoing, even these preliminary documents suggest he's finished.
Of great interest, and as of yet unclear, is what information Abramoff may provide about the former House Majority Leader, his former close friend Tom DeLay. A lengthy article in last weekend's Washington Post detailed the use of a phony advocacy group -- U.S. Family Network -- to funnel millions of corporate dollars, including from Russian oil and gas companies, to DeLay and other GOP lawmakers. Ouch.
Abramoff, who once brazenly boasted of his large influence and touted the morality of his cause, today was surprisingly contrite and remorseful, telling the judge of "tremendous sadness and regret for my conduct." The reality of lengthy prison does funny things to people, doesn't it?
Abramoff and Scanlon may prove a two-man wrecking crew in the nation's capitol. We do not yet know what they know, but Washington has been on collective pins and needles for months in anticipation (and fear) of what they might reveal.
The story simultaneously gets better and better, and worse and worse.
UPDATE: Wonkette provides the juicy scoop on how Scanlon, Abramoff, et al, took the fall.
Posted by houtopia at January 3, 2006 06:01 PM