Re: OT: GOP "culture of corruption"

In article <JemdnYdTs8TGQOnZnZ2dnUVZ_uidnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
"John Wheaton" <wheatonjohn@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

The "culture of corruption"

Got that right...

"In President Bush's first 10 months, GOP fundraiser Jack Abramoff and
his lobbying team logged nearly 200 contacts with the new administration
as they pressed for friendly hires at federal agencies and sought to
keep the Northern Mariana Islands exempt from the minimum wage and other
laws, records show."

"The meetings between Abramoff's lobbying team and the administration
ranged from Attorney General John Ashcroft to policy advisers in Vice
President Dick Cheney's office, according to his lobbying firm billing
records."

"The documents show his team also had extensive access to Bush
administration officials, meeting with Cheney policy advisers Ron
Christie and Stephen Ruhlen, Ashcroft at the Justice Department, White
House intergovernmental affairs chief Ruben Barrales, U.S. Trade
Representative Robert Zoellick, Deputy Interior Secretary Steven Griles
and others."

- USA Today


"Mr. Ney, the first lawmaker to disclose that he is under investigation
by the Justice Department, had submitted two statements into the
Congressional Record bearing on a casino deal in Florida involving
Abramoff and his associate, Michael Scanlon. In return for this and
other official acts, Mr. Ney and members of his staff got trips,
including to Scotland for golf and Tampa, Fla., for the Super Bowl,
tickets to sporting events, regular meals at Abramoff's upscale
restaurant, and campaign contributions"

- Christian Science Monitor

"Abramoff is a longtime associate of several top GOP leaders, including
former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Americans for Tax Reform
director Grover Norquist, and former Christian Coalition chief Ralph
Reed."

- CNN

"The Washington Post reported earlier this year that Abramoff, who is
well-connected to conservative Republicans in the White House and
Congress"

- Washington Post

"A former Bush administration official lied to investigators in an
attempt to hide the influence-peddling activities of disgraced lobbyist
Jack Abramoff, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. Justice Department
lawyer Peter Zeidenberg said [David] Safavian took advantage of his
position to help his friend, a top Washington lobbyist with strong ties
to leaders in Congress, particularly in the Republican Party. "

"Tom DeLay, the former Republican House leader and once one of the most
powerful politicians in Washington, stepped down from Congress and
resigned his seat after becoming embroiled in the Abramoff scandal. Two
of his former aides and a former aide to Ohio Republican Rep Bob Ney
have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in the investigation of a
conspiracy to bribe members of Congress in return for legislative
favors."

- Reuters

"When U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez shed $2,500 in January that his campaign
took from an Ohio congressman tied to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a
spokeswoman said the Florida senator wanted no contributions with ``even
a hint of impropriety.'' But Martinez continues to hold on to $250,000
that his 2004 campaign collected at a Washington kickoff fundraiser that
was co-chaired and attended by the now disgraced lobbyist."

- Miami Herald

"Lobbyist Jack Abramoff engaged in regular contact with a high-ranking
White House official, asking for favors and pouring out his heart as
lawmakers and the media began exposing details of his business dealings,
according to copies of e-mails released Wednesday by the White House. At
one point, when news reports began detailing the lobbyist's role in a
burgeoning ethics scandal that has threatened to envelop Republican
lawmakers, the White House aide offered to assist Abramoff with "damage
control."

- Los Angeles Times

"Newly disclosed White House visitor logs involving the lobbyist Jack
Abramoff refer to a 2001 visit in which Mr. Abramoff talked with Karl
Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, about hiring two people
for jobs at the Interior Department, a Bush administration official said
Wednesday night."

- New York Times

"Prosecutors have e-mails showing Rep. Tom DeLay's office knew lobbyist
Jack Abramoff had arranged the financing for the GOP leader's
controversial European golfing trip in 2000 and was concerned ``if
someone starts asking questions.''

- The Guardian
.

Relevant Pages

  • Oh, Krusty!! Where are you Krusty?
    ... The noose is tightening around Abramoff and he may be negotiating a plea ... prosecutors investigating Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist, are ... powerful lobbying firms in exchange for legislative favors, ... investigators were trying to determine whether aides conducted "job ...
    (alt.politics)
  • Re: the GOPs "culture of corruption"
    ... "The meetings between Abramoff's lobbying team and the administration ... Abramoff and his associate, Michael Scanlon. ... Jack Abramoff, ... White House official, asking for favors and pouring out his heart as ...
    (alt.guitar.amps)
  • Re: Republican administrations ex Justice official charged in Abramoff lobbying probe
    ... Former Justice Department official charged in Jack Abramoff lobbying ... A former high-ranking Justice Department official was accused Monday ... Robert Coughlin was deputy chief of staff of the Justice Department's ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: OT-Top Ten Dem Investigations
    ... "The meetings between Abramoff's lobbying team and the administration ... Abramoff and his associate, Michael Scanlon. ... Jack Abramoff, ... White House official, asking for favors and pouring out his heart as ...
    (alt.guitar.amps)
  • OT: the GOPs "culture of corruption"
    ... "The meetings between Abramoff's lobbying team and the administration ... Abramoff and his associate, Michael Scanlon. ... Jack Abramoff, ...
    (alt.guitar.amps)