Posted on 03/29/2006 10:30:29 AM PST by NormsRevenge
MIAMI - Disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff arrived in court several hours early Wednesday, avoiding the media before his sentencing in a Florida fraud case.
He and former partner Adam Kidan pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud stemming from the ill-fated purchase in 2000 of the SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet.
They now face between just under six years and more than seven years in federal prison, though the sentences won't start immediately so they can continue cooperating in a Washington corruption investigation and a Florida probe into the murder of former SunCruz owner Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis.
Before the hearing, more than 260 people — including rabbis, military officers and even a professional hockey referee — wrote letters on the men's behalf asking the federal judge for leniency.
The letters, obtained by The Associated Press, put a new spin on the foibles and crimes of a man who became the face of Washington's latest corruption scandal.
"Jack is a good person, who in his quest to be successful, lost sight of the rules," National Hockey League referee Dave Jackson wrote, describing the time Abramoff brought 14 youngsters to his dressing room before a game.
Kidan, in his own letter to the judge, said he knew the SunCruz deal was wrong but said he "was very caught up in the fast paced world of my partner and the high profile that came along with it." He added, "I am not the horrible person that the media has written about."
In the Florida case, Abramoff and Kidan admitted concocting a fake $23 million wire transfer to make it appear they had made a large cash contribution to the $147.5 million purchase of SunCruz Casinos. Based on that fake transfer, lenders provided the pair with $60 million in financing.
The same week Abramoff pleaded guilty to the SunCruz fraud, he entered guilty pleas to three federal charges as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe that could involve up to 20 members of Congress and aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. No date has been set for his sentencing in that case.
Abramoff, 47, and Kidan, 41, are also expected to give statements in the investigation into the Feb. 6, 2001, slaying of Boulis, who was gunned down at the wheel of his car amid a power struggle over the gambling fleet. Three men face murder charges, including one who worked for Kidan as a consultant at SunCruz and who allegedly has ties to New York's Gambino crime family.
Both Abramoff and Kidan have repeatedly denied any role in or knowledge of the Boulis murder. But prosecutors say Kidan has not been ruled out as a suspect and defense attorneys say Abramoff could provide critical inside information about the dispute with Boulis, who also founded the Miami Subs restaurant chain.
Ultimately, cooperation in those investigations could reduce Abramoff's and Kidan's sentences.
This entire story sounds like a new book I am reading by John Grisham called "The Broker".
It just came across the wire. 5 years 3 months.
Thanks!
Abramoff gets 70 months for Florida fraud
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060329/pl_nm/crime_abramoff_dc
Silly rabbit, he should have just stole classified documents pertinent to a federal investigation. Then he would have gotten off scott free!
Heck, better yet, he could just move to Ohio and molest a couple boys. Probation!
What a novice criminal.
Great. Now what about the Dumbocrats like Harry Reid who took money from him?
Abramoff gets 70 months for Florida fraud (SunCruz Casinos fraud case) ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1605540/posts
In due time, this was a Florida fraud case. ;-)
Lobbyist Abramoff gets 70 months
Disgraced US lobbyist Jack Abramoff has been jailed for nearly six years on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.
Abramoff - who had close links to top Republicans - had pleaded guilty to the charges, which relate to the purchase of a fleet of casino boats.
In a separate case, he has admitted to tax evasion, defrauding his clients and conspiring to bribe public officials.
A federal inquiry into his activities is said to be focusing on his dealings with up to 20 politicians in Congress.
The federal judge in Miami gave him a total of 70 months - five years and 10 months - in jail on Wednesday.
Abramoff is co-operating in the wide-ranging inquiry that began in 2004 after reports that he and business partner Michael Scanlon had received some $45m (£26m) from Native American tribes with casinos.
Abramoff is accused of exploiting the tribes to enrich himself and his friends, and offering politicians in both houses of Congress lavish meals, tickets to major sporting events and trips.
No date has been set for sentencing in the second case, but his co-operation with investigators is likely to lead to a reduced jail term.
This would be concurrent with the sentence to be passed on Wednesday in the SunCruz Casinos case, which could be of up to seven years.
Abramoff and co-defendant Adam Kidan are accused of faking a wire transfer of $23m (£13m) to obtain loans for the purchase of SunCruz.
However, they did not invest the agreed amount in the firm, which collapsed in 2001.
Friends and supporters of the former lobbyist have written to the judge in Miami asking for a light prison term due to Abramoff's "faith, generosity and remorse".
Maybe he can bunk with Jon Pollard.
AP Update...
Abramoff Gets Almost 6 Years in Prison
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060329/ap_on_re_us/lobbyist_fraud
CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer
MIAMI - Disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a former business partner were sentenced Wednesday to five years and 10 months in prison for fraud related to their 2000 purchase of the SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet.
The sentences were the minimum under their plea agreement in the case.
Abramoff and Adam Kidan, who both pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud, won't start their sentences immediately so they can continue cooperating in a Washington corruption investigation and a Florida probe into the murder of former SunCruz owner Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis.
In court, Abramoff said the case was "incredibly painful" for himself, his family and his friends.
"In the past few years I have begun the process of becoming a new man," he said.
Abramoff had arrived at the courthouse several hours early, avoiding the media before his sentencing. Under the plea agreement, both faced a sentence of between five years, 10 months, and seven years, three months in federal prison.
Both were also ordered to pay restitution of more than $21 million.
The two admitted concocting a fake $23 million wire transfer to make it appear they had made a large cash contribution to the $147.5 million purchase of SunCruz Casinos. Based on that fake transfer, lenders provided the pair with $60 million in financing.
The same week Abramoff pleaded guilty to the SunCruz fraud, he entered guilty pleas to three federal charges as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe that could involve up to 20 members of Congress and aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. No date has been set for his sentencing in that case.
Where's the mention of Delay? I thought he was suppose to "go back to Texas and serve his sentence?"
Rat Bastards!
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