Bush’s personal favor for Abramoff: demoted Investigator, halted probe

[Marleyb]

A US grand jury in Guam opened an investigation of controversial lobbyist Jack Abramoff more than two years ago, but President Bush removed the supervising federal prosecutor, and the probe ended soon after.

The previously undisclosed Guam inquiry is separate from a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia that is investigating allegations that Abramoff bilked Indian tribes out of millions of dollars...

Abramoff spokesman Andrew Blum said the lobbyist ’’has no recollection of his being investigated in Guam in 2002. If he had been aware of an investigation, he would have cooperated fully." Blum declined to respond to detailed questions.

The transactions were the target of a grand jury subpoena issued Nov. 18, 2002, according to the subpoena. It demanded that Anthony Sanchez, administrative director of the Guam Superior Court, turn over all records involving the lobbying contract, including bills and payments.

A day later, the chief prosecutor, US Attorney Frederick A. Black, who had launched the investigation, was demoted. A White House news release announced that Bush was replacing Black...

His replacement, Leonardo Rapadas, was confirmed in May 2003 without any debate. Rapadas had been recommended for the job by the Guam Republican Party. Fred Radewagen, a lobbyist who had been under contract to the Gutierrez administration, said he carried that recommendation to top Bush aide Karl Rove in early 2003.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/08/08/bush_removal_ended_guam_investigation/

[crispini]

1. Dang!

[Le Taz Hot]

2. I was listening to CNN this morning

while getting ready for work and they spent a good 10 minutes on the Mayor of New Orleans' gaffe about the Chocoloate city thing -- and yet, not one word about this. In times past this would have been a top story. This was the first time I'd tuned into CNN for probably 2 years and it's amazing how far they've fallen since then. It so sucked!

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

3. Now Try Going 4 Years Before Watching Again

CNN is a right wing garbage machine, and I refuse to watch them anymore. I get my news primarily online these days.

[insane_cratic_gal]

8. CNN has turned into a RW hack

Fox news wannabes.

I've had plenty of complaints about them but their hiring of Beck, is the straw that broke the camels back.

[demjuli]

9. Now they've also hired JC Watts

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

It's a disgrace.

[Olney Blue]

4. Another outrage, compliments of the misadministration.

:banghead:

[bettyellen]

5. kick

[seabeyond]

6. we knew this before the election though. we had this n/t

[Marleyb]

7. How much corruption is enough?

How can Bush now say he doesn't know Abramoff? Ridiculous. As ridiculous as Abramoff saying he doesn't remember being investigated I suppose.

These guys are looking dumber by the day...this house of cards has to come down soon.