Another guilty plea in Abramoff probe

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Another guilty plea in Abramoff probe
By Susan Crabtree
Posted: 11/20/08 01:50 PM

In the investigation of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a former aide to Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) has pleaded guilty to accepting an illegal gift of a trip to the World Series and admission to a strip club.

Trevor Blackann, 34, a former aide to Bond and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), pleaded guilty Thursday to making a false statement on his 2003 tax returns by failing to report thousands of dollars in illegal gifts he received from lobbyists associated with Abramoff. Blackann worked for Bond during the period in which he is accused of accepting illegal gifts.

Blackann pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard Roberts in the District of Columbia.

During his plea, Blackann admitted receiving illegal gifts from three lobbyists, including a free trip to attend the first game of the 2003 World Series, which included “admission to and entertainment at a gentleman’s club,” according to a court filing. As part of the trip, he also accepted airline travel to and from New York City, one-night accommodations in an “upscale” hotel, transportation in a chauffeured sport utility vehicle, a ticket to the game and a souvenir baseball jersey, as well as free meals and drinks. ...http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/another-guilty-plea-in-abramoff-investigation-2008-11-20.html