Investigation
Abramoff's appearance in U.S. District Court came nearly two years after his lobbying practices gained public notice because of the enormous payments -- eventually tallied at $82 million -- that he and a public relations partner received from casino-rich Indian tribes. He admitted to defrauding four of those tribal clients out of millions of dollars. He also pled guilty to evading taxes, to conspiring to bribe lawmakers, and to conspiring to induce former Capitol Hill staffers to violate the one-year ban on lobbying their former bosses.
Under terms of his plea agreement, Abramoff was expected 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.
Former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff was ultimately sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison on March 29, after pleading guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials in a deal that requires him to cooperate in an investigation into his relationshps with members of Congress. There was talk that half a dozen lawmakers were also under scrutiny, along with Hill aides, former business associates and government officials.
The scandal prompted Rep. Tom DeLay and Rep. Robert Ney to give up their leadership posts, and on Oct. 13, 2006, Ney pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the scandal. On Jan. 19, 2007, Ney was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in the scandal. Two of Abramoff's former business partners have pleaded guilty. David H. Safavian. the top contracting official in the White House Office of Management and Budget was convicted for lying about his dealings with Abramoff.
[ FRAUD / TAX EVASION / CONSPIRACY ]
Prosecution
Backlash
Three men have been arrested in the slaying of Gus Boulis, who sold Abramoff and partners a fleet of Florida casino ships in the fall of 2000. David H. Safavian.
Plea Bargain
The plea deal had enormous legal and political consequences for the lawmakers on whom Abramoff lavished luxury trips, skybox fundraisers, campaign contributions, jobs for their spouses, and meals at Signatures, the lobbyist's upscale restaurant. "The corruption scheme with Mr. Abramoff is very extensive," Alice S. Fisher, head of the Justice Department's criminal division, said at a news conference with other high-ranking officials of the Internal Revenue Service and the FBI. "We're going to follow this wherever it goes. (Schmidt, 2004)"
