Anything new on the Delay-Abramhoff love fest??

[ncteechur]

[Independent_Liberal]

1. I haven't heard anything new about that lately...

Is DeLay going to get indicted soon?

[Pirate Smile]

2. If you missed this, it could end up damaging Delay much more then

the other stuff.

Justice Department Is Asked to Widen Inquiry of Lobbyist

WASHINGTON, July 5 - Criminal investigators at the Justice Department have been asked by a House committee to consider broadening their corruption investigation of a Washington lobbyist whose ties to Tom DeLay, the House Republican leader, and other prominent lawmakers are the subject of inquiries throughout the government, Congressional officials disclosed on Tuesday.

-snip-
The letter, dated June 30, cited a flurry of accusations of wrongdoing involving Mr. Abramoff's multimillion-dollar lobbying on behalf of the Northern Mariana Islands, a small American commonwealth in the Pacific, and said that "any allegations of criminal matters of this sort are best addressed to the Department of Justice."

-snip-
The Resources Committee request could suggest new scrutiny for Mr. DeLay, because he worked closely with Mr. Abramoff for years to block Washington from imposing the federal minimum wage on large clothing factories in the Northern Marianas. Human rights groups have long criticized the factories, which employ mostly migrant Asian workers.

On a trip to the islands with Mr. Abramoff in 1997, Mr. DeLay told a meeting of local officials that the lobbyist was among "my closest and dearest friends" and promised to continue to defend the islands' interests in Congress. Mr. Abramoff's billing records show that he frequently met with Mr. DeLay and his top aides to discuss the Northern Marianas. In a 2001 e-mail message to the islands' general counsel, Mr. Abramoff described Mr. DeLay as "our biggest supporter on Capitol Hill."

-snip-
"I wouldn't be comfortable if I were him," Mr. Miller said of Mr. DeLay. "Clearly we're talking about a close relationship with Abramoff." He said Mr. DeLay had been instrumental in blocking Congressional efforts to end labor abuses in the islands.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/politics/06ethics.html?

[PsycheCC]

3. Al Franken Connection

Thanks for the article. I've been wondering what would happen with Delay since the House Ethics Committee is conveniently shut down.

I heard just last week on Al Franken an "under-cover" recording of one of those clothing factory owners saying that Delay had told him personally that he would block any legislation on the Mariana Islands clothing factory working conditions. Delay came back from that visit saying that things were just lovely in the Islands, and there was no basis for complaints about working conditions there.

In fact, if I understand the situation correctly, this is just another way for the American rich to make a "killing" exploiting the poor worker. Some of the women in these factories were forced into prostitution, and then into abortions, by their factory employers.

I hope all of this ends in criminal prosecution of BOTH Delay and Abramoff. After wading through Abramoff's email in the Congressional Record, I'm convinced it's warranted. It appears to me that at one point he was actually lobbying for two opposing Indian tribes in Texas at the same time. He was keeping both in the dark about his relationship with the other, and his emails contain jokes about how happy he was to take money from both groups while really only trying to help one.

Also Ralph Reed figures prominently in these emails, talking about getting 50 pastors out to protest a proposed tribal casino. The whole thing smells bad. :grr:

[radfringe]

5. Bribes or "donations"

http://citizensforethics.org/press/pressclip.php?view=468
DeLay inquiry is sought Group wants to know if donations were bribes; Texan's aide assails call
By TODD J. GILLMAN, The Dallas Morning News

A public interest group that has long accused House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of ethical lapses said Thursday that it will ask the Justice Department to open a bribery investigation against him, citing a report that a Kansas company donated to one of his political committees to gain favorable treatment in an energy bill.

The left-leaning Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said the revelation goes beyond anything the House ethics committee looked into or found when it admonished Mr. DeLay last fall for playing golf with Westar Energy executives. That was shortly after the company sent $25,000 to Texans for a Republican Majority.

The ethics panel said last fall that the outing looked improper even though no favors were issued. It found that Mr. DeLay did not improperly solicit Westar donations or grant special favors.

[Bluesplayer]

4. new court papers

Westar Energy admits in court filings to paying $25K for access to DeLay. There's the felony.

http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/pressclip.php?view=467