Tyco lawyer nom'd for Dep AG says Abramoff bragged of ties to WH

[BurtWorm]

If you need an emetic this morning, this article will serve in soooo many ways...

:puke:



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/22/AR2005092202204_pf.html

Tyco Exec: Abramoff Claimed Ties to Administration

By R. Jeffrey Smith
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 23, 2005; A06

Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff bragged two years ago that he was in contact with White House political aide Karl Rove on behalf of a large, Bermuda-based corporation that wanted to avoid incurring some taxes and continue receiving federal contracts, according to a written statement by President Bush's nominee to be deputy attorney general.

Timothy E. Flanigan, general counsel for conglomerate Tyco International Ltd., said in a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week that Abramoff's lobbying firm initially boasted that Abramoff could help Tyco fend off a special liability tax because he "had good relationships with members of Congress," including House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.).

Abramoff later said "he had contact with Mr. Karl Rove" about the issue, according to the statement by Flanigan, who oversaw Tyco's dealings with Abramoff and his firm and received reports from Abramoff about progress in the lobbying campaign. Flanigan's statement is the latest indication that Abramoff promoted himself as having ready access to senior officials in the Bush administration.

A White House spokeswoman, Erin Healy, said Rove "has no recollection" of being contacted by Abramoff about Tyco's concerns.

[napi21]

1. Of course, the response is "I don't remember!"

Somebody needs to tell these guys that doesn't work when there's people who try to save their own ass by ratting them out!

I've been wondering when this was going to begin.

[Supersedeas]

2. when Judge Roberts was asked about Iran/Contra--he didn't remember