Justin Rood September 28, 2006, 6:57 PM

More of Kane-and-Bresnahan’s reporting from Roll Call (sub. req.):

During the period examined by the committee, Bush administration officials repeatedly intervened on behalf of Abramoff¹s clients, including helping a Mississippi Indian tribe obtain $16 million in federal funds for a jail the tribe wanted to build.

Abramoff was able to block the nomination of one Interior Department official using Christian conservative Ralph Reed as a go-between with Rove, according to e-mails between Abramoff and Reed.

Abramoff also tried to oust a State Department employee who interfered with their efforts on behalf of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, one of Abramoff¹s most lucrative clients.

The White House responds to the charges:

“The billing records that are the basis of this report are widely regarded as fraudulent in how they misrepresented the activities and influence of Abramoff,” [White House spokeswoman Dana] Perino said. “There’s no reason those records should be suddenly viewed as credible.” Perino added that she was unaware of any link between Abramoff¹s lobbying and White House intervention in policy or personnel matters affecting his clients. “Not that I’m aware of as a result of a direct contact,” Perino said.

Perino did not specifically address whether White House officials ever accepted meals or tickets from Abramoff. “We have high standards and expect them to be met,” she said.

Jack Abramoff