WASHINGTON LOBBYING SCANDAL: Spotlight turns to those who accepted money, favors

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/4/6 | Zachary Coile

[SmithL]

Washington -- The plea deal Tuesday by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his agreement to cooperate with prosecutors has top lawmakers fearing they could face charges in an expanding Justice Department investigation into bribery and influence-peddling in Congress.

Legal experts predict that Rep. Bob Ney, a Republican from Ohio, could soon be indicted. Lawyers have identified him as "Representative No. 1," who, according to the complaint filed against Abramoff, accepted a golfing trip to Scotland, lavish meals and free tickets to sporting events and concerts in return for pushing legislation and carrying out other official acts that helped Abramoff's clients.

Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, also faces possible legal jeopardy because of his close ties to Abramoff and Michael Scanlon, a former DeLay aide and Abramoff's admitted partner in crime who also has agreed to help prosecutors. The new plea deal also appears to identify DeLay's former deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, as an unindicted co-conspirator in one allegedly fraudulent scheme.

"They should be nervous," said Melanie Sloan, a former assistant U.S. attorney who now directs Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group. "It won't be long before Bob Ney is indicted. It will probably take a little while longer for them to build their case against Tom DeLay."

[eyespysomething]

No, you're killing yourself.

Indict 'em all and start over.

But your side is in just as deep sweetie.

[STFrancis]

I don't CARE who is involved on either side.

I do want EVERY SINGLE one of them to get indicted and thrown out of office if they did something illegal. Don't care if they are Repubs or Dems. Throw them all under the bus and start fresh if you have to.

This story is slanted though...

[Just A Nobody]

Yes, I usually set that one apart. I forgot to do it this time.

[Mr.Pinette]

Is the story that everyone on that list received money illegally? Or did some receive money illegally, and others through open channels?

[capydick]

I just heard a clip on ABC Radio that had Steppystayontopofthis saying that the fear in DC now is we are criminalizing regular Washington DC behavior. How convenient.

[AmishDude]

As far as I know, the only "crime" the Congressmen could have committed would be to (a) take gifts and (b) to have a quid pro quo for votes. Even then, I think that's only a violation of rules. And, to be honest, I don't see how Ney committed any actual crimes, from this article.

I'm sure I haven't gotten the whole story at all, but to read the media, Abramoff is pleading guilty to consorting with Republicans.

[sinkspur]

I just heard a clip on ABC Radio that had Steppystayontopofthis saying that the fear in DC now is we are criminalizing regular Washington DC behavior

That's because Democrats will be implicated in this "scandal."

[massgopguy]

Now look at the figures to Democrats and compare them to the figures posted at DU in regards to Republicans. Those are all individual donations which are under the legal limit.
I'm also on the trail of the yatch that Patches Kennedy ran aground. It was owned by Atlantic Navigation of Mystic CT, which is in turn owned by a lobbyist for the Narragansett Indians. Either Capital Gaming or O'Conner and Hannan. Patches did $28,000 worth of damage and skated, not to mention the yatch trip is considered an In-Kind contribution. Patches is dirty on this one. Watch for Dad to kill the investigation.

[oceanview]

taking campaign contributions is not illegal. selling your vote, taking personal gifts, etc - that's another story.

let's wait until the facts come out. don't fall for the media spin that says "any republican taking money is a crook", while the Dems are filling their pockets with the same funds, as well as Soros money, etc - and those are simply referred to as "campaign contributions".

[KeyLargo]

Isn't typical that MSM only mentions Republicans?

[motherof 3]

Melanie Sloan's group CREW is totally funded by Democrats, obsessively hates Bush, has gone after Delay and is just a Democratic front. She is constantly interviewed by Air America as a big ethical expert. She is extremely (to the point of never being fair) partisan and arrogant. The media treats Sloan and Crew as if they are some legitimate citizens ethics organization. Think more Begala, Ann Lewis or Carvell.

[technomage]

"...the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have taken more than $1.2 million, according to records provided to The Washington Times.”

Unfortunately you do not understand: They did take money, but had no idea Abramoff was doing anything illegal they were not taking payoffs, did not give any special considerations in return for campaign funds.

But, every Republican that took money was in cahoots with Abramoff, was taking payoffs, knew the cash and gifts were illegal, and took the money and gifts anyway because as everyone knows Republicans are ALL corrupt. Dims are moral, and 100% honest and would never be involved in anything corrupt.

Silly Justanobody /sarcasm>

[Paraclete]

Agreed, the MSM will tilt the guilt to the Republicans. But then, the Republicans are just as prone to greed and pork as anyone -- plus they're in power. Shouldn't they be the one's who are held accountable?

[STFrancis]

I really don't know. The radio story I heard said Harry Reid was involved for sure, as well as DeLay and others. Been working so I don't have a lot of info on that.

[keat]

Dems received nearly the same amount of money

Actually it's 2-to-1 Rep vs. Dem.

I hope I figure all this out someday. Is every polititian who ever received a campaign contribution from anyone corrupt?

I thought it only worked that way in John McCain's world (Unless the contributions were to him, of course).

So, let's say I'm a hypothetically principled conressman and I am anti-gun control. I receive a 2006 NRA desk calandar and then vote pro-gun on my next vote. Am I owned by the NRA?

I heard a reporter on Fox News saying that people are going to be very upset with their reps because some were bought out for as little as a free sandwich at lunch. That's B.S.

This whole thing is B.S. and I bet McCain is behind it.

[mware]

LOL, I heard the panel on Brit's show last night.He mentioned that they might as well put bars on the windows of the Capitol if they are going to claim it as illegal.

[Straight8]

Several times on "Good Morning America" the subject came up, and only republicans were named. And the msm wonders why Americans accuse them of bias.

[keat]

Excellent tagline, excellent.

[308MBR]

If the Dems had a few more like Soros, we would be in one heckuva fix.

Has the plug been pulled on Air America yet? What about NPR?

NPR is wonderful, taking my tax money to shill for leftists and their causes. (sarc.)

[barker]

Dingy Harry did ok too.

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Received At Least – $68,941