Abramoff to Name Names

In the most recent in a long series of corruption scandals facing Congress, lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, corruption, and tax evasion in Washington, and conspiracy and wire fraud charges in Miami.

In a plea deal with government prosecutors, Abramoff has agreed to talk to the FBI about bribes to as many as 20 members of Congress and their aides, involving issues as broad as wireless phone service in the House to Internet gambling. Republicans, to whom the overwhelming majority of Abramoff’s contributions have wound up, are now trying to distance themselves from him. Many are returning or donating to charity the contributions that he made to their campaigns. Included in this list is the President, who is donating $6000 that was given to his campaign by Abramoff, Abramoff’s wife, and an Indian tribe Abramoff “worked” to win influence for in Washington.

While a nice gesture, the $6000 is just a drop in the bucket. Not being returned or donated is the rest of the at least $100,000 Abramoff raised for the campaign, which earned him the honorary title of “Pioneer”.

Another Congressman with ties to Abramoff is Texas Representative Tom DeLay, who is currently involved in his own money laundering trial in Texas. Abramoff and his associates have donated at least $57,000 to the DeLay campaign and political action committee. DeLay’s spokesman is now saying that all contributions connected to Abramoff will be donated to charities. But again, the reality of the situation cuts deeper - among other ethically dubious donations, court papers state that Abramoff paid the wife of a former DeLay deputy Chief of Staff $50,000 from clients after the aide helped stop anti-gambling legislation in the House. Presumably as a consequence of this sort of donation, DeLay voted against fellow Republicans on the Internet anti-gambling legislation, which would make it easier for authorities to stop online gambling sites.

With so many top Republican Congressmen possibly involved, this is one scandal that can make headlines. Jack Abramoff is naming names, and the truth is beginning to unfold.