Lobbyist Abramoff gets new four-year prison term

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced to four years in federal prison Thursday for his corrupt lobbying activities, which led to the downfalls of a congressman and several other Washington officials.

Choking back tears, Abramoff delivered a highly emotional plea for the judge to exercise leniency, but readily admitted he had done wrong.

"I stand before you a broken man," he said during the two-hour sentencing hearing. "I am not the same man."

Abramoff has served 22 months in prison on a separate conviction involving casinos in Florida. The judge said that the new four-year term will run concurrently with the remainder of that sentence.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/04/abramoff.sentenced/index.html

[Faygo Kid]

1. Should have been 40 years. He still won't blow the whistle on Rove.

Look for a pardon before Bush leaves office.

If he in fact leaves.

[TomInTib]

2. "will run concurrently "

The fucking judge should've stacked the sentences.

This is no more than a pat on the back of the hand - not even a slap on the wrist.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. Now, you don't have any way of knowing that,

so hold back on condemning Jack. He just might turn out to be one of our heroes. (Stranger things have happened.) He got this reduced sentence because he's cooperated with the prosecutors. This is the deal that all agreed to two years ago, when he first went to the slammer.

"If you cooperate, we'll do everything we can to get you a reduced sentence."

Now, apparently he's done just that, all of it to the prosecutors' satisfaction. That's why he got a break from the judge, who was also in on the agreement.

None of these things are ever made public.

I would be surprised if any indictments come down before the election, or even before the Inauguration. That's because putting together cases takes time, and these prosecutors are not about to act in haste and make any irreversible errors.

Also, that takes all the matters out of President Fuckface's purview and renders the matter of his pardoning anyone quite moot.

[truedelphi]

10. Boy do I ever hope that the things you are suggesting all come true

I'll buy you a round or two of drinks

:toast:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. And I'll let you!

But, keep in mind that the guy on top of all of this - no, not Abramoff - Tom Delay, hasn't even gone to trial yet. Now, I know it takes time to put together a good case, but my guess is that a lot of the information that Abramoff supplied to the prosecutors will be used against Delay.

Here's hoping I'm right, huh?

[truedelphi]

13. Will it be Margaritas for two?

Or something much stronger.

Well that may depend on who occupies the WH come January!!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. If it's Obama,

I say we just get a one-gallon Margarita, a couple of industrial-strength straws, and have at it................

[truedelphi]

17. Name the place and I'll be there... n/t

[snappyturtle]

3. They have no shame. nt

[George II]

11. Up until recently they haven't had to have any shame, but the times they are a changin'

[snappyturtle]

18. Oh the times are a changin' but they'll never express shame. imho n/t

[George II]

19. True...Abramoff didn't show any shame yesterday, but he sure cried his eyes out when....

he got 4 more years.

Hey, maybe THAT is what they meant at the republican convention when they chanted "four more years"!!!!!

[snappyturtle]

21. HA! Wish the judge had gone for eight more years! n/t

[jhrobbins]

4. They should throw Ralph Reed's ass in the same cell with Jackie.

Also the other guy who I cannot remember now.

[indypaul]

22. Might I suggest Grover Norquist? N/T

[jhrobbins]

24. Yes, thank you - it was Grover

[loves_dulcinea]

23. scanlon? or norquist? n/t

[anitar1]

5. I'm surprised that it wasn't a 2 year sentence. That's justice

in this good old boy country.

[defendandprotect]

7. Maybe even a pardon?

[Baby Snooks]

8. And meanwhile over at the Capitol...

Anyone who thinks anything has changed is fooling themselves - K Street is still wheeling and dealing as it always has. It has just become more careful about how it wheels and deals. Quite a few members of Congress were tied into this. Democrats as well as Republicans. Until there is real campaign finance reform, starting with banning all corporate money that is inevitably tied into the lobbying, nothing will change.

"Money makes the world go 'round, the world go 'round, the world go 'round, money makes the world go 'round, that clicking clacking sound, it makes the world go 'round..."

As Washingtonians will tell you, that little tune is heard being hummed all over town. The first thing freshmen members of Congress smell when they arrive in Washington is that smell of clean, crisp newly-issued dollar bills. Fresh from the mint. And the lobbyists client lists.

[struggle4progress]

9. People convicted in the Abramoff investigation

... John Albaugh, a one-time top aide to former Oklahoma Rep. Ernest Istook ... Robert E. Coughlin II, a Justice Department official ... Italia Federici, co-founder of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy ... Former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio ... Former Deputy Interior Secretary Steven Griles ...Tony Rudy, lobbyist and one-time aide to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay ... David Safavian, the Bush administration's former top procurement official ... Michael Scanlon, a former Abramoff business partner and DeLay aide ... William Heaton, former chief of staff for Ney ... Neil Volz, a former chief of staff to Ney who left government to work for Abramoff ... Mark Zachares, former aide to Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska ... Roger Stillwell, a former Interior Department official ... Former Abramoff business partner Adam Kidan ...

<Details:> http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hk6rEyehi1HVooxq9nl4ykpx-r8AD93051D00

[LibertyorDeath]

15. "Choking back tears"

Pathetic truly pathetic

What an Asshole they can stick this POS in a cell with Conrad Black.

[Dover]

16. As his last act of freedom he lobbied the judge. He'll be pardoned in another month or so..n/t

[marshall]

20. Lobbyists are scum

I wish they'd run them all out of Washington. They are not helping our government.