Jack Abramoff news stories on Newser

Abramoff: Reforms Won't Stop 'Bribery' in Congress

Kevin Spak — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:35:05 CDT

Lobbyists still “own” Congress, according to Jack Abramoff, dismissing the “faux reform efforts” passed in the wake of the scandal that landed him in prison . “The system hasn’t been cleaned up at all,” Washington’s most infamous ex-peddler of influence tells 60 Minutes in an interview airing Sunday. “There's an arrogance...

Feds Clear Tom DeLay

Kevin Spak — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:05:00 CDT

Tom DeLay is probably doing a little dance right now. The Justice Department has informed DeLay that it has ended its six-year investigation into his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and won’t be filing any charges. “This was one of the longest and expensive and thorough investigations in recent...

Abramoff Working at Pizzeria

John Johnson — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:33:35 CDT

It's a far cry from his old perk-filled life, but it sure beats prison: Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff is in a halfway house and helping a Baltimore pizzeria with marketing and strategy, reports the Baltimore Jewish Times . Abramoff served 43 months in prison for his shady lobbying practices in DC,...

Primary Foe Makes McCain Look Like the Smart Choice

Kevin Spak — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:51:00 CDT

Tea Party activists don't like John McCain, but they'd better vote for him, because tea partier primary opponent JD Hayworth is “toxic,” writes Michael Gerson in the Washington Post . Hayworth's main claim to fame is his crusade against Mexican immigration—and not just the illegal kind. He pledged to “stand...

Blue Dogs Aren't Centrists, They're Greedy

Jason Farago — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:19:17 CDT

Blue Dog Democrats might represent more socially conservative constituencies than their liberal brethren, but that's no reason to take pro-corporate stances on everything from the mortgage market to health care reform. Thomas Frank has a simpler explanation: They're in it for the cash. The Blue Dogs are "champion fundraisers," writes...

Spacey to Play Jailed Lobbyist Abramoff

Evann Gastaldo — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:52:26 CDT

Kevin Spacey met with lobbyist-extraordinaire-turned-convict Jack Abramoff yesterday to discuss the actor’s portrayal of him in the upcoming Casino Jack , Deadline Hollywood Daily reports. The jailed Abramoff, convicted of scamming American Indians out of millions in casino money, is reportedly a huge Spacey fan. “For two guys who couldn't be...

Abramoff's Golfing Buddy Gets a Mulligan

Kevin Spak — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:49:00 CST

Ex-Bush administration official David Safavian began a second trial yesterday, “or, as his golfing buddies might call it, a mulligan,” Dana Milbank writes in the Washington Post . When Safavian’s original 2006 corruption conviction in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal was overturned, prosecutors indicted him again. Their case hinges almost entirely...

Casinos Staked Fortunes on Friendly Gambler Mac

Matt Cantor — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:10:00 CDT

Life-time gambler John McCain is behind more casino legislation than any other lawmaker, and has helped Indian gambling become a $26 billion industry, reports the New York Times . Though the Arizona senator has called lobbyists “birds of prey,” he has enjoyed close links to casino lobbyists. He once won thousands...

Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years

Harry Kimball — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:39:52 CDT

Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced to 4 years in prison today for his role in a massive corruption scandal that shook the upper echelons of Washington, the Post reports. The sentence means that Abramoff, who traded ritzy junkets and gifts for political favors, will remain in prison until 2012....