Former Justice Official Charged in Abramoff Investigation

[babylonsister]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/former_doj_official_charged_in.php

Former DoJ Official to Plead Guilty in Abramoff Investigation
By Paul Kiel - April 21, 2008, 3:53PM

From the AP:

A former high-ranking Justice Department official is being accused of criminal conflict of interest in the latest case stemming from the investigation of disgraced GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Robert Coughlin was deputy chief of staff of the Justice Department's criminal division before his resignation a year ago.

In court papers filed Monday in federal court in Washington, prosecutors accused Coughlin of providing assistance to a lobbyist and the lobbyist's firm while receiving gifts from the firm and discussing prospective employment there. The lobbyist isn't named but The Associated Press has previously reported that Coughlin was lobbied during the period in question by Kevin Ring, a member of Abramoff's lobbying team who also is under investigation.

Update: The filing today is a criminal information, meaning that Coughling will very likely be pleading guilty sometime soon. We'll have that document up soon.

Coughlin stepped down about a year ago as the investigation of Kevin Ring, a former DoJ official and aide to Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) was heating up.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

1. I figure, the only reason the prosecutors are NOT getting their asses chaffed is because,...

,...this administration is under very close scrutiny, right now.

However, just watch the ultimate outcome of this particular conspiracy. Just WATCH.

(NOT NOT NOT,...on edit,...geez!)

[Supersedeas]

5. a sealed deal with Executive privileged stamped all over it?

[Richard Steele]

2. The B*sh Administration motto: "Too busy stealing to govern". K&R

[Usrename]

3. Are they trying to make bribery illegal now?

Will this new policy affect everyone in government, or is it just for certain people?

[L. Coyote]

4. Slow as Molasses DoJ moving forward on Abramoff investigation.

Maybe John McCain is thinking he should not have covered up the Alabama-Abramoff connection.

Little did John realize, Bush would drag this on until HIS campaign!! :rofl:

[Octafish]

6. Kick to the pants of the BFEE!

Abramoff is just one tip of the very ugly patch of aspens that is Bush and his Base.