The house that Jack Abramoff built begins to crumble

[rodeodance]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Berkowitz-WorkingForChange-Abramoff Affair Ripples Outward
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 13:19:31 -0500 (EST)
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Abramoff affair ripples outward
The house that Jack Abramoff built begins to crumble
Bill Berkowitz
WorkingForChange
01.12.06

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=20205

On Saturday, January 7, Tom DeLay, the powerful Texas Republican, became the biggest political casualty thus far of L'Affaire Abramoff, as he was forced to resign his post as majority leader of the House of Representatives amid mounting evidence of widespread corruption and influence peddling on Capitol Hill.

While not yet specifically named in the ongoing Abramoff investigation, DeLay has been dealing with his own legal troubles. In September, he was indicted by a Texas grand jury for allegedly violating campaign finance laws to help the Republican Party win control of that state's legislature in the 2002 elections.

Delay, who will retain his House seat, has already declared his intention to run again in the fall congressional elections. The timing of his resignation as majority leader coincided with the guilty plea last week of longtime associate and friend -- the high-powered GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who over the years has forged relationships with dozens of powerful politicians, mostly Republicans, but a smattering of Democrats as well.

"The government says Abramoff and former business partner Michael Scanlon, a one-time aide to... DeLay, pocketed tens of millions of dollars from four Indian tribes; set up a foundation that financed a trip to Scotland for public officials and Abramoff's colleagues; and provided money, meals, trips and entertainment to entice public officials to help the lobbyist and his clients," Bloomberg.com reported.

If convicted on felony charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion, Abramoff could face up to 30 years in prison. However, since he has agreed to cooperate with an ongoing Justice Department investigation, which could ultimately corral dozens of lawmakers, the government will reportedly recommend a 10-year sentence -- depending on the usefulness of his information.

To say that Abramoff had a full plate would be a bit of an understatement. The Abramoff story has touched dozens of top-shelf politicians, and involved a number of Indian tribes, a gaggle of political consulting firms and consultants -- including Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition and who is now running for lieutenant governor of Georgia -- as well as what now appears to be a number of phony charities.

MORE @http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=20205

[applegrove]

1. In honor of MLK day....

Thanks to JHB who posted the "TOONS" at:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=183952&mesg_id=183952