Jack Abramoff’s wife and five children are living “just above the poverty line” in a house with a leaky roof which they can’t afford to live in but, given its depressed price, also can’t afford to sell.
That’s according to lawyers for the disgraced former lobbyist, who are arguing in court that Abramoff should be allowed to keep spending a tax refund of more than $520,000 to pay legal and other bills. Last month, the Justice Department moved to stop Abramoff from using the refund to pay the bills, arguing that he first must pay $23 million in restitution to the Indian tribes he swindled.
The Washington Post reports:
Some of the tax refund was used to repay loans owed for food, clothing and housing costs while Abramoff was in federal prison in Cumberland, Md. Among the checks written was $87,500 to repay loans from Abramoff’s father, who lent the family from his retirement savings and is still owed another $75,000.
Defense lawyers said Pam Abramoff has held off on paying for their daughter’s private school tuition, among other sacrifices.