[summer]

This is an excerpt from today's NYT front page article, Lobbyist Accepts Plea Deal.

[summer]

From the article, linked in my post #1:

"With most cases, the plea is the end, but with Abramoff, the plea is just the beginning," said an F.B.I. official who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding, "This one has legs."

[DumpsterDiver]

This is a link to the Washington Post's graphic:

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2005/12/12/GR2005121200286.gif

[mystery-ak]

bookmarking

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

if this interests you, there is a "MUST READ" thread now about "Money,Mobsters,Murder". It's a long read, but it's incredible. This is just the very tip of the iceberg. I think there's gonna be a huge shake-up in DC over this whole story. It's gonna ruin a lot of people on both sides of the aisle!

[keithtoo]

Powerline has comments that most of what Abramoff pleaded to was business to business scams. The only congresscritter mentioned in the Plea was Ney of Ohio and there really doesn't seem to be much of a case there.

Not that that will matter to the MSM, but it looks pretty weak.

[Cacique]

L8R

[TomGuy]

Money, Mobsters, Murder [MUST READ re: Abramoff and Ney]

Posted by tame On 01/04/2006 9:45:03 AM CST · 11 replies · 277+ views weeklystandard.com ^ | 11/28/2005 | Matthew Continetti Money, Mobsters, MurderThe sordid tale of a GOP lobbyist's casino deal gone bad. Gambling doesn't destroy people. People destroy people. The gentleman or gentlewoman who decides to gamble makes that decision of his own free will. It's a free market industry, and that appeals to conservatives. --Michael Scanlon AT ABOUT 8 p.m. on the night of September 26, a homicide detective with the Ft. Lauderdale police department entered the home of Anthony Moscatiello in the Howard Beach section of Queens, New York. Once inside, he placed the 67-year-old "caterer," aka "Big Tony," under arrest. Around 11 p.m., a thousand miles...

[sgtbono2002]

Lets see the George Soros graph.

[bkepley]

Abramoff was too dumb to be rich. He was destined for prison time one way or another.

[add925]

Welcome to the deep, dark underbelly of Politicians and Lobbyists..From both sides of the isle....Pass the popcorn.

We just need someone reporting on this other than the NYT who won't report the left's involvement.

Wash Times? NY Post? Maybe I'll stick with FReeperville.

[manwiththehands]

I really don't think this story is going anywhere. Too many democRats involved. The MSM will ignore it. That's the problem. I want crooked Republicans thrown out of office more than I want crooked 'Rats thrown out. But we are forced to keep the status quo with both sides on the take because the MSM is so biased.

[Waco]

Everybody denand a public trial, demand Bill and Hill testify, watch their lawyer lie everyone out of it at no charge. It'll be the nest comedy entertainment of the early 21st century. Wheee

[Red Badger]

If my name was Jack Abramoff, and I was going to be in prison, I think I'd change my name..........

[mac_truck]

bookmark

[GOPJ]

Odd how the press could never make Whitewater understandable ...

[summer]

Have you ever seen that Seinfeld episode when Kramer decides to start showing up at a corporate place of business, in a suit with a briefcase, doing business reports -- and working in an office each day, even though the company has never hired him?

Well, at least on TV someone had the brains to realize Kramer didn't actually work there -- and "fired" him. But, in real life, people are not as bright as those who "supervised" Kramer.

Below is an actual paragraph of a NYT article explaining how Abramoff's buddy appeared to be working at the same law firm Abramoff did -- even though Abramoff's pal had never been hired there. I have to tell you when I read this, I burst out laughing, as I couldn't help but think of that Seinfeld episode -- and Kramer! :)

---------------

...Greenberg Traurig was founded in 1967 in Miami. It has expanded rapidly over the past 10 years, growing to employ 1,500 lawyers in more than 25 offices, the largest now in New York, not Florida. Last year, according to American Lawyer magazine, the firm took in more than $700 million in revenue.

....There were some apparent oddities about Mr. Abramoff's business practices at the firm. For example, Michael Scanlon, who worked closely with Mr. Abramoff and pleaded guilty in November to conspiring to bribe a member of Congress, at times used an office at Greenberg Traurig, although he was never a firm employee.

Several participants in the criminal case have said that the firm, at a minimum, turned a blind eye to the work the pair did. A spokeswoman for the firm denied that accusation.

One of those participants in the case said that suspicious financial dealings ran rampant in Mr. Abramoff's corner of the firm, and that other employees of the firm knew it. "Expense reports were just completely fabricated," said the participant, speaking on the condition of anonymity because Justice Department officials have asked all participants not to comment on the case. ...

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ROTFLMAO.... (I'm still laughing!)