Abramoff makes first Miami court appearance on fraud charge

[DoYouEverWonder]

Aug 18, 2005

MIAMI (AP) -- Lobbyist Jack Abramoff made his first appearance Thursday before a federal judge in Miami since his indictment last week along with an associate on fraud charges stemming from a 2000 deal to purchase a casino cruise fleet.

Abramoff did not enter a formal plea at the brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Brown but will plead not guilty to the six-count indictment charging conspiracy and wire fraud, said Abramoff attorney Neal Sonnett.

Brown had initially set Abramoff's first court appearance in Miami for Aug. 29. But U.S. District Judge Paul Huck, who is known for moving things along, ordered an accelerated schedule so that the case does not languish.

Huck will hold a status conference on Aug. 26 at which he could set a trial date, Sonnett said.

Abramoff and Adam Kidan are charged with falsifying a $23 million wire transfer to make it appear they were putting a large cash stake into the purchase of SunCruz Casinos. Based on that transfer, two lenders provided $60 million toward their purchase in September 2000 of SunCruz from Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_LOBBYIST_FRAUD_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=state.shtml&CTIME=2005-08-18-21-46-07

[ovidsen]

1. You mean he hasn't jumped bail yet?

(from AP - 8/15)

(Abramhoff) was told he could post $250,000 of a $2.25 million bond on Tuesday in Florida only if federal prosecutors there determine that the money came from legitimate sources, said U.S. Attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek. Family members would be liable for the balance of the bond if Abramoff fails to appear at any subsequent hearing.

I'm waiting for him to screw his relatives and show up in Malaysia.:evilgrin:

edit: for spelling.

[seemslikeadream]

2. Didn't he get picked up in LA or was that Larry Franklin?

I know they were worried about somebody leaving

[TomInTib]

3. The activist judge lifted his passport earlier n/t

[ovidsen]

4. Details, details...

For a guy with Abramhoff's money and connections, what's a passport?

[joemurphy]

5. Yeah, given what he stole from those Indians, $250K is low! n/t

[annabanana]

6. I want him to sing,

Sing, Jackie, Sing! I want an aria of names, times, dates, and numbers!

[ovidsen]

7. And a one, and ah two... n/t

[Rose Siding]

8. Arraignment bumped to 28th because he has NO full time lawyer?

BWAHAHA :rofl:

snip>
Abramoff was not asked to enter a plea on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Stephen Brown and his formal arraignment on the fraud charges was postponed until August 29 because he had not yet obtained a full-time attorney.

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=9417458&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

[Straight Shooter]

9. Maybe he can hire Rove's lawyer.

After all, if someone will represent Rove, they'll have no problem representing Abramoff. Maybe DeLay can recommend someone :7