David Safavian

Abramoff Crony Gets New Trial

Andrew Tilghman | June 17, 2008, 11:00AM

From the AP:

A federal appeals court has ordered a new trial for a former Bush administration official convicted in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

David Safavian, former chief of staff for the General Services Administration, was convicted of lying to investigators about his relationship with Abramoff. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison but the sentence was put on hold while the appeal played out.

He did cry at his sentencing.

Jack Abramoff

Judge Sets Abramoff Sentencing Date, Investigation May Continue

Andrew Tilghman | June 13, 2008, 6:43PM

So how lenient will Jack Abramoff's judge really be?

He'll find out on Sept. 4, which a judge in Washington today set as his sentencing date.

But don't expect that to be the end of the multi-year investigation of his lobbying ring. The feds expect him to keep up is cooperation, and possibly even testify at some point. Keep in mind that Abramoff has been cooperating from federal prison since he began serving time for his role in the separate fraud case in Florida.

Attorneys in the case came to an interesting agreement this week, according to a joint motion filed in federal court.

While the government anticipates that Mr. Abramoff's cooperation in the form of possible testimony will continue for the foreseeable future, the parties believe that they are in a position to inform the court about the full scope of his misconduct and cooperation, and that, consistent with the commitments in the plea agreement with Mr. Abramoff, sentencing in the near future in this case is appropriate.

Under his plea agreement, Abramoff can expect to receive a jail sentence of 9 1/2 to 11 years, and he is required to make restitution of $26.7 million to the IRS and to the Indian tribes he defrauded.

Jack Abramoff

Report On Abramoff's White House Influence Approved

Andrew Tilghman | June 12, 2008, 12:12PM

Now it's official. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform voted this morning to formalize the draft report that detailed convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's influence peddling at the White House.

Jack Abramoff

Targeting Sweeney's Wife Fits Abramoff Pattern

Andrew Tilghman | June 11, 2008, 7:00PM

So the feds are not only looking into former Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY), but also his ex-wife?

That's sure how it looks, since they subpoenaed files about Sweeney and the fundraising firm run by his wife, Gayle Ford Sweeney - who was married to the upstate New York Republican until shortly after he left office in 2006.

As speculation mounts that John Sweeney is the latest target in Jack Abramoff's lobbying ring, the New York Times noted that Abramoff investigators have found a pattern of money funneled to Congressional spouses.

Take Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA). The FBI raided his house last year and he's opting not to run for reelection. Doolittle's wife, Julie, was running a one-person company that got large payments from campaign funds and PACs run by Doolittle. In addition, Abramoff's firm paid Doolittle's wife, Julie, $67,600 to plan an event that was ultimately canceled.

Or look at Tom Delay, the former Rep. from Texas. His wife was running a group called the Delay Foundation for Kids. It's donors? Well, whaddya know. They were a diverse set of special interest who appeared to be seeking favors from Tom Delay.

Sweeney's wife was campaign and fundraising consultant who got a cut of the money raised for her husband.

She was also taking a salary from Sweeney's friend and lobbyist Bill Powers's firm. And she left Sweeney just a few months after voters kicked him out of office.

We'll be interested in hear what the feds find in all that paperwork.

Jack Abramoff

Questions About Sweeney's Ties to Abramoff Go Back Years

Andrew Tilghman | June 11, 2008, 3:53PM

The Jack Abramoff investigation is a gift that keeps on giving.

Nearly three years after the feds flipped the corrupt Washington lobbyist, we've learned just today that former U.S. Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) may be the next lawmaker in the cross hairs of the feds' ongoing investigation.

Sweeney's ties to Abramoff over the years may have been overshadowed by Sweeney's more colorful scandals that repeatedly involved booze and women half his age.

In 2001, Sweeney was among a handful of lawmakers who took a trip to the Northern Marianas -- Abramoff's infamous client -- and failed to disclose that the trip was privately funded. While there he parroted Abramoff's favorite line -- that reports of sweatshops there were overblown.

In March 2006, DOJ investigators pulled some of Sweeney's financial records from the House clerk and reviewed them along with a handful of others linked to Abramoff.

Back then, when records showed Sweeney had taken $2,000 from Abramoff's firm, he gave that money away to a local hospital to publicly cleanse himself of ties to the convicted felon.

With the latest news that the feds have raided the firm of Sweeney's political mentor, Bill Powers, has the Abramoff investigation zeroed in on Sweeney? The New York Times suggested as much today, but it cited no source for that proposition. So it's not immediately clear what the connection is between Sweeney and Powers and Abramoff. Powers was a chairman of the state GOP throughout the 1990s, and Sweeney was one of his executive directors before being elected to Congress. The New York papers are reporting Sweeney may have steered big federal grants to Powers' clients while Sweeney was still in Congress.

By the way, Sweeney's then wife (now ex-wife) went to work for Powers' firm a few years after he was elected to Congress, and left the firm shortly after he lost his reelection bid. More on that shortly.

George Bush

Bush and Abramoff Meet: Four New Photos

Kate Klonick | June 9, 2008, 5:53PM

Late this afternoon the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released six photographs cited in today's report that show President Bush meeting with jailed uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

The pictures contradict the White House's previous statements that the President met with Abramoff only two times:

While the Committee obtained no evidence that Mr. Abramoff ever personally lobbied the President or that the President personally directed an action in response to a request by Mr. Abramoff, the Committee did receive evidence that Mr. Abramoff met the President and was photographed with him six times. Four of the six photographs occurred at political receptions.

In a statement today, the White House spokesman Tony Fratto responded to the House committee report "There's nothing new of any significance in it. it is warmed-up leftovers. It confirms what has become clear in all of this -- Abramoff was spectacularly unsuccessful in influencing administration policy."

The photos released by the committee actually look like black and white photo copies of the originals. They are very dark and grainy. We have lightened the picture below to make it more discernible. It is, according to the committee, a photo of Mr. Abramoff, Pam Abramoff, President Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush taken at a December 10, 2001, Hanukkah party at the White House.

The rest of the photos are below the fold:

Read more »

Karl Rove

House Committee Report: Abramoff Through Rove Influenced White House Policy

Kate Klonick | June 9, 2008, 2:55PM

Back when the Jack Abramoff scandal was exploding across Washington in 2005 and 2006, the White House went to great lengths to publicly distance itself from the Republican uberlobbyist -- even though anyone who knew anything about Republican politics knew Abramoff was hard-wired into the very fabric of the modern GOP.

Following Abramoff's guilty plea in January 2006, President Bush said, "I don't know him." A White House spokesperson stated that Abramoff had only attended "a couple of holiday receptions . . . then a few staff-level meetings on top of that." And through a spokesperson, Rove said that he "remembers they had met at a political event in the 1990s. ... Since then, he would describe him as a casual acquaintance." Later, we learned that Rove and Abramoff met on D.C. street corners, Jack in his limo, to avoid detection in White House phone and visitor logs.

But the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform report issued today detailing the ties between Abramoff and the Bush White House specifically stated that the White House's own investigation into Abramoff's contacts there had been cursory at best.

This evidence suggests that the White House failed to conduct even the most basic internal investigation of the White House relationship with Mr. Abramoff before making public statements characterizing the connection between Mr. Abramoff and the White House.

In reality, the Committee uncovered extensive contacts between Abramoff team and the White House, including access to Rove and direct influence on White House policy, from unseating Department of Interior official Alan Stayman to affecting nominating processes:

One action that White House officials took at the request of Mr. Abramoff was to intervene to force the removal of a State Department official, Alan Stayman. In a previous position at the Office of Insular Affairs in the Department of the Interior, Mr. Stayman had advocated positions opposed by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, then a client of Mr. Abramoff. Mr. Stayman was appointed to his position at the Department of State during the Clinton Administration.

In a recent Committee deposition, Monica Kladakis, then-Deputy Associate Director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel (OPP), confirmed that OPP became involved in Mr. Stayman's removal after White House officials were contacted by Mr. Abramoff's team.

The White House led the committee in 2006 to believe that the extent of the Abramoff connections existed only between Abramoff and Rove's mutual secretary, Susan Ralston. Ralston was painted to be the whole of Abramoff's connection to the White House and her resignation was the culmination of a 4-day investigation by the White House, described by the deputy press secretary as a "thorough" review of the matter.

But in the Committee's examination of Ralston's relevant correspondence, specific electronic conversations shed light on Ralston's role as a conduit between Abramoff and Rove, rather than a stopping point.

One example of the Abramoff team's access to the White House regarding the nomination process is a February 20, 2001, e-mail from Susan Ralston to Matt Schlapp to let him know that Jack Abramoff had called Karl Rove a few days earlier to discuss appointments at OIA.

According to this e-mail, Mr. Abramoff had heard that Esther Kia'aina was going to be
considered for a position and "wanted to let Karl know that he didn't think this was a good idea."

Ms. Ralston continued, "Karl asked that you return his call." Ms. Kia'aina was not appointed to a position at OIA.

Beyond nominations and appointments, Abramoff, through Rove, also played a hand in creating White House policy:

On a number of occasions, White House officials used information Mr. Abramoff provided in policy deliberations. For example, in September 2002, when Matt Schlapp, then-Deputy White House Political Director, asked Ms. Ralston if Karl Rove wanted "Fred Radewagon to get strong consideration" for appointment to the position of Director of OIA. Ms. Ralston replied minutes later with the note, "Definitely not Radewagon. Here's the intel I got on him."

The rest of her e-mail quotes directly, without attribution, from an e-mail Jack Abramoff had sent her the previous month. In this e-mail, Ms. Ralston passed on information from Mr. Abramoff to support her assertion that Mr. Rove would not support Mr. Radewagon. Mr. Radewagon did not get the appointment.

Jack Abramoff

White House Aides Sought "Fruits" for their Abramoff Labors

Andrew Tilghman | June 9, 2008, 2:15PM

The term "fruit" was used as a code word for tickets to sporting events or concerts between Jennifer Farley, former White House Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Kevin Ring, a lobbyist for Jack Abramoff's firm, according to today's draft report from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

On December 12, 2002, Ms. Farley asks Mr. Ring, "Do you have any kind of fruit tonight?" Mr. Ring responds, "No games tonight." In another e-mail exchange about an issue of interest to one of Mr. Ring's clients, Ms. Farley stated, "Let me know about the fruit in the middle of the basket." Mr. Ring responded, "The fruit is going to happen. Just trying to make sure it is picked on the right day."

In another email, Ring asked: "All set to use the fruit on a new date?"

Abramoff's team of lobbyists and White House officials often shared dinner, drinks and good stadium seats, according to the report. Records from Abramoff's firm obtained by the committee show that his team members met with White House officials over meals or drinks 186 times, billing the firm's clients for these meetings on 156 occasions. Many meetings took place at "expensive Washington restaurants such as Oceanaire, Bistro Bis, and the Oval Room."

Who exactly picked up the tab? That's still pretty hazy.

In most cases, the documents and billing records did not provide any evidence as to whether the White House officials paid for their share of the meals and drinks. ... The Committee in many cases also could not reach any conclusion about who paid for the meals and tickets.

However, the Committee's 32-page report did feel compelled to note that:

The acceptance of meals and gifts by White House officials would raise concerns about White House officials' compliance with federal laws regarding the solicitation and acceptance of gifts.

At least three White House officials refused to answer some questions from the Committee and instead invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Susan Ralston, Karl Rove's then-personal assistant who had previously held a similar position with Abramoff, requested tickets to seven events and was given tickets to nine, including Wizards, Capitals, and Orioles games, as well as concerts by Bruce Springsteen and Andrea Bocelli, according to documents from Abramoff's firm obtained by the committee.

When asked about that, Ralston "did not answer these questions and indicated that she would invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if compelled to respond," according to the committee report.

Matt Kirk, the former Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, also refused to answer any questions from the committee. Documents from Abramoff's firm obtained by the committee show he was given tickets to a Wizards game and to the NCAA basketball tournament.

Abramoff's firm had 27 contacts with Farley. She was provided with "fruits" to three events, two Orioles games and a Yanni concert, the firm's records show.

Ms. Farley's attorney told the Committee that Ms. Farley would not respond to questions on the following subjects: "First, what benefits she may or may not have been offered; and, two, any communications between Ms. Farley and any member of the so-called Abramoff team."

The report also mentions Ken Mehlman, former Bush campaign manager and RNC chairman. The firm's documents say the Abramoff team had designated tickets for Mr. Mehlman for a U2 concert in June 2001. The Committee sent Mehlman a letter asking about the concent and it got no response.

In his interview with the Committee, Mr. Mehlman said that he did not respond to this letter on the advice of his attorney. Mr. Mehlman also indicated that he did not recall having accepted tickets from the Abramoff team to the June 15, 2001, U2 concert, and said, "My recollection is that I didn't attend. I don't think I attended." He further stated: "I've been to a lot of concerts. I've been to U2 concerts. ... I don't remember going to that concert."

Jack Abramoff

McCain Camp: Advisor Linked to Abramoff No Longer with Campaign

Andrew Tilghman | June 9, 2008, 2:01PM

John McCain's campaign has taken down a web page that listed lobbyist Carlos Bonilla as an economic advisor.

Bonilla, a former special assistant to the president for economic policy, was included in today's report about White House ties with Jack Abramoff as one of the White House officials who received tickets from convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's firm.

A McCain aide said Bonilla was dropped from the campaign a few weeks ago when McCain implemented a tougher conflict-of-interest policy barring most active lobbyists from his team. Bonilla is a senior vice president with the Washington Group.

Campaign workers thought they had already removed the web page, the aide said. It was removed after the page was brought to the campaign's attention by TPMmuckraker.

Bonilla joined the McCain campaign in July 2007. He did not return a phone call for comment today.

Jack Abramoff

House Committee Details Abramoff Connections to Bush White House

Kate Klonick | June 9, 2008, 11:47AM

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a "proposed" report this morning finding that Jack Abramoff did indeed have "personal contact with President Bush" and that Abramoff and cohorts were "held in high regard" by White House officials.

The proposed report also finds that Abramoff and his associates "influenced some White House actions" and gave White House officials "expensive tickets and meals."

The report (.pdf), technically a draft of the committee's findings, will be marked up and voted on by committee members in a meeting on Thursday.

We'll be looking through the report and bringing you updates, but in a first read through here are some findings that stuck out.

Abramoff and team gave gifts to Carlos Bonilla, at the time a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and now an economic policy advisor for John McCain:

On October 18, 2001, Kevin Ring sent an unknown number of tickets to an unknown event to Mr. Bonilla by courier. In addition, in response to an offer from Kevin Ring, Mr. Bonilla requested and was provided with two tickets to sit in the Abramoff suite for the November 20, 2001, Washington Wizards game.

The report confirms much of what was already known about the Abramoff-led effort to oust Department of Interior official Alan Stayman, Abramoff's nemesis on issues involving his client, the Mariana Islands:

One action that White House officials took at the request of Mr. Abramoff was to intervene to force the removal of a State Department official, Alan Stayman. In a previous position at the Office of Insular Affairs in the Department of the Interior, Mr. Stayman had advocated positions opposed by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, then a client of Mr. Abramoff. Mr. Stayman was appointed to his position at the Department of State during the Clinton Administration.

In a recent Committee deposition, Monica Kladakis, then-Deputy Associate Director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel (OPP), confirmed that OPP became involved in Mr. Stayman's removal after White House officials were contacted by Mr. Abramoff's team.

Late Update: McCain Camp: Advisor Linked to Abramoff No Longer with Campaign

Jack Abramoff

Istook: I'm Not the Target of an Investigation

Andrew Tilghman | June 3, 2008, 4:27PM

Former Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) says he was "as surprised and as shocked as anyone" to learn that his former chief of staff pleaded guilty yesterday in Jack Abramoff's lobbying ring.

The Washington Post reports:

"I have not seen the charges and I have no information about them," said Istook, who left the House to launch an unsuccessful bid for governor of Oklahoma in 2006. He is now a fellow at the Heritage Foundation. "I have met with the FBI. They did not share any details about the case, but they told me I am not a target of their investigation. I will continue to cooperate with them fully."

That's interesting, since prosecutors say Istook, the former chairman of the appropriations subcommitee for transportation, got on the phone with Jack Abramoff and, according to Abramoff, "basically asked what we want in the transportation bill."

A preliminary analysis by Taxpayers for Common Sense found at least six of Abramoff's firm's clients received earmarks from the 2004 transportation appropriations bill, which was written by Istook's subcommittee.

Jack Abramoff

Former Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty in Abramoff Case

Andrew Tilghman | June 2, 2008, 5:35PM

Federal prosecutors have a new helper in their investigation of the Jack Abramoff scandal.

The former chief of staff to Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) pleaded guilty in federal court today and agreed to cooperate.

According to a Department of Justice press release:

John C. Albaugh, 41, entered his plea to a one count criminal information today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, before Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle. At sentencing on Sept. 17, 2008, Albaugh faces up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release following his release from prison. As part of a plea agreement, Albaugh has agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the activities of former Washington, D.C., lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others.

Jack Abramoff

Another Congressional Aide Charged in Abramoff Scandal

Andrew Tilghman | June 2, 2008, 3:35PM

A former chief of staff for an Oklahoma congressman is the latest figure caught up in prosecution of Jack Abramoff's lobbying ring.

John Albaugh, the former chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK), has been charged with a conspiracy to defraud the House of Representatives, taking perks and doling out official favors:

John Albaugh is accused of accepting gifts in return for official favors. The charge is outlined in a criminal information filed in federal court on Friday. Such documents are normally entered as part of a plea deal. A court hearing was set for Monday afternoon.

According to the criminal information, Albaugh accepted tickets to George Strait and Tim McGraw concerts.

In one email, a lobbyist from Abramoff's firm told Albaugh: "You're going to eat for free off our clients"

After Istook was named chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, a fellow lobbyist emailed a lobbyist from Abramoff's firm (identified in the Information only as Lobbyist C) and said "[t]hat's good for us!! Hello Albaugh,' according to the court papers.