« previous | MUCK HOME | next »
DOJ Lax on Jack; Seeks Reduced Sentence for Abramoff
We'll have to wait until next Thursday for a final decision, but in filings made yesterday, it appears that the Justice Department is seeking a pretty light sentence for the infamous former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
From the Washington Post:
Since his conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges, former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has spent more than 3,000 hours helping more than 100 law enforcement agents in an ongoing federal corruption probe that has implicated "scores of other persons not yet charged," attorneys said in court filings today.. . . If a federal judge in Washington accepts the recommendation from the Justice Department, Abramoff would serve no more than another three years and three months in prison, not accounting for credit for good behavior awarded by the Bureau of Prisons. Abramoff's attorneys are seeking even more leniency that could have him released from prison by 2010.
Advertisement
I think any consideration that Abramoff gets for his help should come after indictments have been filed against those other Republicans he's supposedly implicated. Remember, this is an era where the Attorney General can pontificate that not all things against the law are necessarily criminal. Though it's beginning to look like those ubiquitous IOKIYAR Get Out Of Jail Free cards are nearing their expiry dates.
August 28, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think any consideration that Abramoff gets for his help should come after convictions are obtained against those other Republicans he's supposedly implicated.
Let him finish what he started and if he's a stellar witness they can put him in the witness protection program far, far away from Washington when he's done.
It's pretty interesting that Bob Ney is claiming Cheney had him indicted cuz he dared deliver peace and disarmament overtures from Iran.
August 28, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think we have only scratch the surface of this and should give Jack Abramhoff some consideration for the proven information submitted.
August 28, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I doubt that Abramoff's sung too much. He's playing around on the keyboard, waiting for that modulation known as a presidential pardon. And the feds are just tapping to his tune.
This is just a charade on their part, too.
August 28, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't assume his schemes included only republicans. I suspect he did good cop/bad cop routiners with Democrats on some issues just like he did with Ralph Reed on threatening Casinos.
Can't you see it?
These Democrats are going to close you factory in Mirianas unless we get you some help!
These damn Democrats are going to raise the mineral royalty unless we get some help!
Ralp Reed is going to close your casino unless you get some help!
August 28, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jack's "cooperation" hasn't amounted to a hill of beans. Bob Ney, Steve Griles and Italia Federici in halfway houses, with reduced sentences?
All of his Administration co-conspirators and beneficiaries aside, Jack should be looking at much more time or legal trouble for his own antics.
What about Jack's funding of military equipment for Israeli settlers on the West Bank?
What about Jack's illegal use of nonprofits (Capital Athletic Fund and Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform Education Fund) as pass throughs for illegal money?
Coincedence or not, Bob Ney's willingness to talk may have re-instilled some fear that if these guys aren't handled with kid gloves, then they're gonna spill.
August 28, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll believe it when I see Grover Norquist and Ralph Reed going to jail!
August 28, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Jacky is part of the message America is being sent, isn't he?
It's Atwater's message. It's Reed and DeLay's and Fat Karl's and Cheney / Bush's message:
We run this country for us, not for little suckers like you, they've been saying. We take what we want and do whatever we want. If you get in our way, we'll destroy you -- 'cause we can, and we like it when we the chance to show we can.
And Jacky gets a reduced sentence. He can go to hell.
August 28, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a link to Abramoff's lawyer's argument that Jack needs to get out early:
http://citizensforethics.org/files/Abramoff%20Sentencing%20Memorandum.pdf
90% of the argument is based on letters written to the judge by friends/family/associates in 2006. They didn't work then, why now?
August 28, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Soo...
In the end, just who will be paying the bill for the investigations and prosecutions of these crooks who have helped destroy our democracy and at the same time defrauded the taxpayers out of billions of dollars?
Just retorical folks... We all know who will be paying the bill... US!
August 28, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Bush DOJ prosecuting Republicans? You've got to be kidding. This sounds like a payoff to me. Promise Jack a get out of jail card, never prosecute and none's worse for wear. Of course, a McCain DOJ would never follow through, Jack would be free (and offered a spot on FoxNews) and it would be business as usual. I also wonder if an Obama DOJ would bother to prosecute former Republicans implicated with Jack schemes. The whole thing stinks. Seriously.
August 28, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that did much of the public investigation around Abramoff.
McCain, too, was likely one who buried evidence on Jack when it mattered.
August 28, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink