On October 18, the Senate judiciary committee will start
hearings into the ties between Timothy Flanigan and Jack Abramoff. Flanigan was
nominated by President Bush in May to become Deputy Attorney General at the
Justice Department.

Abramoff was a lobbyist for Tyco, where Flanigan became a
senior vice president in 2002. Flanigan joined Tyco following the resignation of
two executives, who were being investigated for misrepresenting the company’s
financial condition and improperly taking bonuses.

Tyco paid $2 million, which most went to firms controlled
by Abramoff, in order to preserve its tax advantage they got from shifting their
home to Bermuda.

Flanigan also worked under Alberto Gonzales, when he was
chief White House council. While at the White House, Flanigan worked on some of
the most controversial cases, including the finding that the Geneva Convention
does not apply to suspected terrorists. He also worked on the controversial memo
narrowing the definition of torture

In September, Senate Democrats questioned Flanigan about
his involvement with Tyco and Jack Abramoff; however Flanigan would not answer
the questions. Arlen Specter, the chair of the judiciary committee, said that
the Democrats questions merited being answered.

This is all coming in the dawn of David Safavian receiving
five indictments for obstruction of justice in the Abramoff investigation.
Safavian was the chief procurement officer for the White House.