Before the lobbying scandal hit Washington and GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff was still one of the town’s most influential powerbrokers, it may have seemed like a normal, even run-of-the mill personal Washington event. Abramoff, who recently pleaded guilty to fraud, bribery and tax evasion, helped host a baby shower for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and his wife in December 2003. The Rohrabachers were expecting triplets and feeling the pinch of the prevailing congressional salary of $154,700 at the time while maintaining homes in D.C. and the lawmaker’s pricey Southern California coastal district. Abramoff’s and his wife’s names appeared on the...