Posted on 01/03/2006 3:42:41 PM PST by CarlEOlsoniii
Once-powerful lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud, agreeing to cooperate in an influence-peddling investigation that threatens powerful members of Congress.
In a heavily scripted court appearance, Abramoff agreed with U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle when she said he had engaged in a conspiracy involving "corruption of public officials." The lobbyist also agreed when she said he and others had engaged in a scheme to provide campaign contributions, trips and other items "in exchange for certain official acts."
"Words will not ever be able to express my sorrow and my profound regret for all my actions and mistakes," Abramoff said, addressing the judge. "I hope I can merit forgiveness from the Almighty and those I've wronged or caused to suffer."
To each of the three charges, Abramoff said, "I plead guilty, your honor." Huvelle and lawyers in the case referred to restitution possibly reaching $25 million in the case. As is typically the case in such pleadings, what happened in the courtroom Tuesday was arranged in advance between lawyers for the defendant and the prosecutors.
Abramoff faces 30 years in prison, and he will cooperate with federal prosecutors in a wide-ranging corruption investigation that is believed to be focusing on as many as 20 members of Congress and aides.
Abramoff's travels with former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay are already under criminal investigation. The lobbyist's interactions with the Texas Republican's congressional office frequently came around the time of campaign donations, golf outings or other trips provided or arranged by Abramoff for DeLay and other lawmakers. In all, DeLay received at least $57,000 in political contributions from Abramoff, his lobbying associates or his tribal clients between 2001 and 2004.
Court papers released Tuesday also detailed lavish gifts and contributions that Abramoff gave an unnamed House member, identified elsewhere as Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Administration Committee, in return for Ney's agreement to use his office to aid Abramoff clients.
Ney's lawyer, Mark Tuohey, said Tuesday that the charges against Abramoff were "nothing new." He said they repeated information in the November plea agreement from Abramoff's lobbying partner, Michael Scanlon.
Abramoff also was expected to plead guilty in Florida to two of the six charges in a federal indictment, according to his lawyer there, Neal Sonnett. A change of plea hearing has been scheduled in Miami for Wednesday afternoon, Justice officials said.
Prosecutors say Abramoff and Scanlon conspired to defraud Indian tribes in Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi and Texas of millions of dollars. Abramoff reaped roughly $20 million in hidden profits from the scheme, according to the information. Scanlon pleaded guilty in November.
Lobbyists are equal opportunity criminals, and politicians, pubs and rats, are happy to oblige.
I am hoping this even will start the push to make lobbying illegal.
You know Abramhoff is not the only one to behave this way.
I'm sure McCain's already on it.
No glee here by any means, the hits will come on both sides, but maybe this is exactly what is needed to shake up the 'culture of corruption' that engulfs both sides of the aisles.
It might give the MSM something else to report instead of making up their own scandalous accusations agianst nthe administration.
Then again, they may go quiet just like they usually do when their side or their players are threatened.
I wouldn't expect any DemocRATS to be charged in this fiasco. This gig was designed to go after Republicans and to help the DemocRATS regain control of the House and Senate. This is bad news for the good guys and good news for the bad guys.
Can I post that graphic from the Wash Post?
I did not notice him on the top twenty list, BTW. But unfortunately Hastert is the fourth one.
Really? In what ways?
The Media will the Dems wont, the dems are going to run and hide the have alot to worry about themselves.
WaPo has restricted use of their material. It crossed my mind, but I obviously decided just to link.
That's what I thought...the graphic is good though.....
If we no longer have Senatorial elections and revert back to the Statehouses appointing their Senators, then this money spigot from lobbyists to Congress will dry up. I can't see that kind of money flowing to the House of Representatives who are elected by populations of less than 100,000 each. Besides, there are 435 of them, which is too many to have effective lobbying during election time, especially with gerrymandered districts.
Eliminating the Senatorial elections is the cleanest way to go. Plus, it will restore the balance of power between the people and the states in Congress.
-PJ
The 2006 elections may be a little early, but I'd expect several resignations (or refusal to run for reelection) in 2008.
Remember the House bank scandal? The public was so disgusted that Newt and the boys were swept in on an anti-incumbant wave (helped by the wisely timed Contract With Ameirca)
Lightning could easily strike twice.
Hell, I'm a Republican and I want the freakin' bums out.
Factual correction. Each US House district is now approaching 700,000 residents.
A higher percentage of incumbants won in 1994 than in 1992. What you saw in 1994 was an anti-Democrat wave, not an anti-incumbant wave.
let's see what the investigation shows. some of these donation numbers shown up thread are pretty low. no way you buy a US senator for $5000, that's chicken feed.
Let me repherase that, then: a wave of disgust at the party in control. The party under whose watch so much corruption was allowed to flourish.
Kinda like today.
Oh yeah.....for the "good of the country". LOL!!!
First off...these people don't care about the COUNTRY.....if they did, they wouldn't be taking bribes, taking money for favors, doling out "jobs" for vacations...etc...etc...in the FIRST PLACE!!!
I will be very surprised if much happens to any of them.....
Keep me posted.
Sorry, this simply can't be true at any level. Since McCain's Campaign Finance Reform passed the Congress, money has been taken OUT of politics (acording the McCain), so this must be a phoney story planted by the Dems.
/sarc
Lil chrissie matthews and his dwarves are already slamming the GOP over this. Of course, they never once mentioned that a whole lotta rats are likely involved up to their eyeballs.
This might have a good effect on some major housecleaning of both parties. Hard to tell this early on when we don't know where it will lead next.
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