The Senate Finance Committee received close to 100 pages of documents on the abuse of non-profits by Jack Abramoff from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. According to Roll Call, “the Abramoff documents would be part of an ongoing probe into whether some nonprofits are violating laws by taking http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/cs/corruption Today in Corruptionon roles beyond what their tax-exempt status allows.” The Finance probe could shine unwanted light on the activities of Abramoff allies Grover Norquist and his Americans for Tax Reform and the former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed. “Reed, a self-proclaimed opponent of gambling, sometimes received payments from Abramoff — money that originated from tribes who operated wealthy casinos — after it had first been routed through Norquist’s anti-tax group or other Abramoff-linked entities.”
Continue readingGonzales Won’t Step Aside on Abramoff:
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales refused to recuse himself from the investigation of Jack Abramoff a day after 31 Senate Democrats called on him to step aside, according to the Associated Press. Democrats contend that Gonzales’ previous work as White House General Counsel and his close ties to President Bush and White House officials creates a conflict of interest in the investigation. So far, the Abramoff investigation has led to the indictment and arrest of former General Services Administration official David Safavian and an ongoing investigation into Deputy Secretary of Interior Stephen Griles. Gonzales stated, “We've got career prosecutors involved in this investigation as we do in all investigations; these are folks that are not motivated by any political agenda.”
Continue readingAbramoff, Rove Ties Examined:
Jack Abramoff contacted White House aide Karl Rove four times to arrange for his client, the President of Malaysia, to meet with President Bush, according to former associates of the disgraced lobbyist. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Malaysian government paid $1.2 million to the American International Center, a shell company set up by Michael Scanlon and Abramoff, to lobby the White House for a meeting between the two Presidents. President Bush eventually met with President Mahathir in May of 2002 after Rove approved the meeting, according to the Times source. The White House denies that Abramoff’s lobbying played any part in Mahathir’s visit, stating that “the meeting was arranged through normal channels.”
Continue readingReed Info Sought in Abramoff Probe:
A subpoena issued to the U.S. Family Network relating to its relationship with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff mentions former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Reed was named along with another long-time Abramoff friend Grover Norquist, the head of Americans for Tax Reform. Reed denies any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors Issue New Subpoena in Abramoff Case:
Justice Department prosecutors issued subpoenas for the records of the U.S. Family Network, a non-profit started in 1996 by Ed Buckham, then-chief of staff to Tom DeLay (R-TX). According to the National Journal, of particular interest to prosecutors is a $15,600 payment by the U.S. Family Network “to Liberty Consulting, a firm run by Lisa Rudy, the wife of Tony Rudy, who was a deputy chief of staff to DeLay before becoming a lobbying colleague of Abramoff's.” Tony Rudy has subsequently been named in Abramoff’s plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Named in the subpoena of the U.S. Family Network are Tony and Lisa Rudy; Ed Buckham and his wife, Wendy; “several dozen other individuals and groups that have been linked to Abramoff by investigators and news reports;” and Abramoff associates Ralph Reed and Grover Norquist.
Continue readingAbramoff Claimed Close Ties to Karl Rove:
Former associates of Jack Abramoff claim that the ex-lobbyist “frequently told them he had strong ties to the White House through presidential confidant Karl Rove.” The Associated Press reports that, “One said he was present when Abramoff took a call from Rove's office to confirm a White House meeting had been approved between Malaysia's prime minister and Bush in May 2002. Abramoff was being paid by Malaysia for helping it in Washington, according to evidence the Senate has made public.” Rove’s executive assistant is Susan Ralston, a former top assistant to Abramoff. Rove, through a spokesman, describes Abramoff as a “casual acquaintance.”
Continue readingRichard Pombo Faces Questions about Abramoff, Donors:
House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) has come under increasing fire for his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and political donations that he receives from companies that have business before his committee, according to the Los Angeles Times. Months before a proposal to open up federal land to mining came before the Resources Committee, “a former committee aide who once worked for Abramoff's firm and is now a lobbyist for mining interests hosted a $1,000-a-head fundraiser for Pombo.” Also, “Pombo supported the resumption of commercial whaling while accepting thousands of dollars in international travel from a private foundation funded by the seafood industry and a whaling association.” Pombo also aided a GOP fundraiser and helped a Massachusetts tribe and client of Abramoff’s gain recognition after receiving a $20,000 donation.
Continue readingWhite House Confirms Bush-Abramoff Meeting:
The White House confirmed the authenticity of a photograph published by Time Magazine and the New York Times showing the President at a meeting with Jack Abramoff. According to the Associated Press, a White House spokesman said, “We now know that Mr. Abramoff attended this meeting.” The White House continues to deny that the President knew Abramoff or had a personal relationship with him. The President says that, “he had his picture taken with Abramoff an unknown number of times, but he does not remember any of them.”
Continue readingReid Defends Against Abramoff Connection:
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is rebutting an Associated Press article that claims a relationship between Reid’s actions that benefited clients of Jack Abramoff and contacts and contributions by Abramoff’s law firm and his clients. According to Roll Call, Reid states that the letters that he co-authored with Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) to oppose the construction of a casino the Jena Band of Louisiana were actually to protect Harrah’s Entertainment – a Las Vegas-based entertainment company that operates four casinos in Lousiana – and not the Mississippi Choctaws, who were represented by Abramoff. Allegations dealing with contacts between Reid and the law firm, Greenberg Traurig, took a step back as the lobbyist who frequently contacted Reid revealed that he was not part of “Team Abramoff” and had not tried to influence Reid on a minimum-wage bill.
Continue readingAbramoff, Bush Met Almost a Dozen Times:
In e-mail correspondence released by the American Progress Action Fund and the blog Think Progress, Jack Abramoff reveals that he met with President Bush “almost a dozen times.” According to the Los Angeles Times, Abramoff, in e-mails with Washingtonian editor Kim Eisler, claims that he was invited to the President’s ranch in Crawford, Texas and that he engaged in conversations with the President “about a bunch of things, including details of my kids.” The Washington Post reports that Abramoff wrote that Bush “has one of the best memories of any politicians I have ever met.” Abramoff appears upset about the President’s statements claiming that they never met or talked. The President has denied ever talking to or meeting with Abramoff outside of three Hanukah parties at the White House.
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