Lobbyist, Prosecutors Said Close to Deal (Abramoff)

AP via Yahoo! via C-SPAN ^ | 31 Dec 05 | TONI LOCY, Associated Press Writer

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Thanks for the ping.

Happy New Year

[PPHSFL]

This will be an interesting week. Hopefully, if people did break the law, they will be taken down, regardless of political party.

[leadpenny]

Between the Alito hearings and this, a person should make sure they have enough popcorn.

[leadpenny]

I had clicked on the wrong C-SPAN box. Here is the Wednesday segment (8pm):

Call-In
Jack Abramoff & the Tribal Lobbying Investigation
C-SPAN
Washington, District of Columbia (United States)
ID: 190544 - 01/04/2006 - 1:00 - No Sale



Continetti, Matt, Correspondent, [Weekly Standard, The]
Crowley, Michael, Senior Editor, [New Republic]




The fundraising, political lobbying efforts, and the practices of Jack Abramoff in lobbying on behalf of Indian tribal interests will be discussed. Jack Abramoff's trial in Florida for wire fraud is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 9, 2006. Video clips from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings will be shown.

Michael Crowley and Matthew Continetti will explain the charges of influence peddling that have stemmed from the investigation. They will respond to questions and comments from viewers.

[ThreePuttinDude]

Thanks, I've marked it on the calender.

[Torie]

More on the Abramoff money trail. What is damaging about this one, is the obvious attempt as to concealment of sources. The members of the House in Texas in 2007 will not be the same as in 2005.

[leadpenny]

http://theintelligencer.net/edit/story/013202006_edt01.asp

Today's "Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register:"

Demand Facts From Abramoff

The Intelligencer


Jack Abramoff may be close to signing off on a plea agreement that at least could begin the process of answering a lot of questions about several members of Congress. Specifically, the questions involve whether lawmakers who received favors and money from Abramoff were merely gullible - thinking there were no strings attached to his largess - or aware that the ex-lobbyist was attempting to buy influence.

The sooner those questions are answered - or at least addressed - the better. One of the congressmen involved is U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio. He benefited from donations and favors bestowed by Abramoff and another lobbyist, Michael Scanlon. Ney has insisted that he was as much a victim as anyone else of the lobbyists' underhanded dealings.

Cases involving Abramoff, Scanlon and others are extremely complicated. They include allegations that Abramoff defrauded Indian tribes of millions of dollars while he was representing their interests. Allegations that Abramoff and Scanlon influenced members of Congress improperly also have been heard. Scanlon pleaded guilty to some charges in November.

It was reported last week by The Associated Press that federal prosecutors and Abramoff may be near to a deal whereby the ex-lobbyist would enter a plea to some criminal charges. In exchange, of course, prosecutors would expect Abramoff to cooperate in their investigation of any others, including congressmen, involved in wrongdoing.

We hope such a deal is arranged quickly. And we hope that prosecutors insist on full disclosure by Abramoff concerning his ties to lawmakers. The sooner the facts of the case are known, the better.

[texasbluebell]

Specifically, the questions involve whether lawmakers who received favors and money from Abramoff were merely gullible - thinking there were no strings attached to his largess - or aware that the ex-lobbyist was attempting to buy influence.

I suppose the columnist wrote that with a straight face.