A front page article in today’s
New York
Times shows that Jack Abramoff’s dirty hands reached around the world.
According to the article, in 2003 Abramoff lobbied President Omar Bongo of
Gabon, a small African Nation, for $9 million in order to set up a meeting with
President Bush. Ten months later that meeting happened.
The contract that was drawn up for this deal shows the money going to a small
Maryland lobbying company, Grassroots Interactive, which Abramoff controlled.
This small company is also under investigation.
There is nothing in the public record to show that Abramoff had influence on
Bongo’s meeting with George Bush, and the White House and State Department deny
that they do. True we know how easy it is for the White House to deny any wrong
doing.
Abramoff is under indictment in Florida for fraud, under two separate Senate
investigations, and one investigation by the Department of Justice. The
investigations so far have lead to the arrest of the former White House
procurement officer, David Safavian. There are other top figures involved in the
Abramoff scandal. Bob Ney, a Republican Congressman from Ohio, has been
subpoenaed for his dealings with Abramoff. Last Month, Timothy Flanigan, who was
nominated by bush to be the second in command at the Department of Justice,
withdrew his name from the nomination because of his dealings with Abramoff. Of
course there is still Tom Delay who had very close workings with Abramoff.
It seems like the more we learn about Jack, the more we find out how dirty he
really is. I gained interest in his case(s) when Senate started investigating
the allegations he had extorted millions from Indian casinos. It was funny
watching Abramoff and his former colleagues come to the Hill to testify. Each
and every one of them pleaded the fifth. Since then his story has turned to one
that reminds you of a Corleone story.
In Florida, three men were arrested last month for the murder of Gus Boulis,
the former owner of Sun Cruz. The murder opened the door for Abramoff to take
over Sun Cruz, something he had been trying unsuccessfully for months. Boulis’
murder was a mob-style hit and there is questions about Abramoff’s involvement.
While Abramoff was out of the country at the time of the hit, there was a
suspicious payment which originated from Sun Cruz after Abramoff took over. Tony
Moscatiello, one of the suspected hit-men received thousands of dollars in
checks from Sun Cruz, and investigators believe it could of been as a “pay off”
for the hit.
Abramoff’s ties run high in Washington. He is said to be close to Karl Rove
and even George Bush. Tom Delay has come under fire for his previous dealings
Abramoff and new letters also show that Dennis Hassert may have helped Abramoff
become so powerful.
Another interesting angle to the Abramoff story is his ties to Israel.
Abramoff was using his money to help fund a sniper school in Israel and also
purchase equipment for them. This is just another example of how deep Abramoff’s
ties go.
If you want to keep up with the Abramoff scandal then please check out
Slobbiest, which is part of my Year
of Scam serious covering the scandals plaguing the Republican party.