BREAKING: WH Ties to Abramoff (ROVE & MEHLMAN) Stronger Than Reported

[kpete]

BREAKING: White House Ties to Abramoff Stronger Than Reported
By Justin Rood - September 28, 2006, 6:51 PM
Roll Call's John Bresnahan reports:

Hundreds of contacts between top White House officials and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates "raise serious questions about the legality and actions" of those officials, according to a draft bipartisan report prepared by the House Government Reform Committee.

The 95-page report, which White House officials reviewed Wednesday evening but has yet to be formally approved by the panel, singled out two of President Bush¹s top lieutenants, Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman, as having been offered expensive meals and exclusive tickets to premier sporting events and concerts by Abramoff and his associates.

In total, the committee was able to document 485 contacts between White House officials and Abramoff and his lobbying team at the firm Greenberg Traurig from January 2001 to March 2004, with 82 of those contacts occuring in Rove's office, including 10 with Rove personally. The panel also said that Abramoff billed his clients nearly $25,000 for meals and drinks with these officials during that period.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001631.php

ROLL CALL: WHITE HOUSE INTERVENED FOR ABRAMOFF CLIENTS

By Justin Rood - September 28, 2006, 6:57 PM
More of Bresnahan's reporting from Roll Call:

During the period examined by the committee, Bush administration officials repeatedly intervened on behalf of Abramoff¹s clients, including helping a Mississippi Indian tribe obtain $16 million in federal funds for a jail the tribe wanted to build.

Abramoff was able to block the nomination of one Interior Department official using Christian conservative Ralph Reed as a go-between with Rove, according to e-mails between Abramoff and Reed.

Abramoff also tried to oust a State Department employee who interfered with their efforts on behalf of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, one of Abramoff's most lucrative clients.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001632.php
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/15254-1.html

[AX10]

1. If this thing blows open in the next few weeks....

the GOP will done for.

[brettdale]

6. Do people really think

The mainstream media is going to report this, they are too busy saying "Clinton is Crazed" "Clinton didnt get Bin Laden"

They will NEVER report ona crime by the Bush*t adminstration.

[SharonRB]

7. Oh, I know someone who might...

Keith, where are you, Keith??

[ClassWarrior]

10. Oh yeah, tonight's program is gonna rock...

:hi: Sharon & Randi!

NGU.

[SharonRB]

19. Hi, CW

:hi:

[SharonRB]

24. I knew he'd cover this!

[DoYouEverWonder]

33. That's why we have to tell them about it

Besides more people are coming to the Internet for real news every day. We are the Free Press.

[LiberalinNC]

2. Is tomorrow Christmas again?

:evilgrin:

[Bluebear]

30. .

[LSparkle]

3. Couldn't happen to a nicer couple of gals

Kendra and Karla.

[pnwmom]

12. Why do some people think that the worst way to insult a man

is to compare him to a woman?

This kind of sick humor belongs on a freeper board, not here!

[Jackpine Radical]

15. I agree with your sentiment, although

I assume the intent here was to impugn their closet sexual orientation, not their gender. That also is objectionable, but perhaps somewhat less so considering their roles in playing destructive politics based on the sexual orientations of others.

[LSparkle]

42. I realize this response is late but that was EXACTLY what I was indicating

The fact that Ken Mehlman wants to remain in the closet is one thing (that's his choice) but when he uses OTHERS' sexual orientation as a wedge issue and stands behind the hateful rhetoric coming out of his party, that's where he deserves any kind of lampooning possible. Same thing with Rove (even though whether he's closeted or not isn't quite as well-known).

[bullimiami]

4. no shit.

[SharonRB]

5. Can I do the happy dance yet?

Maybe we can get Rove into that orange jumpsuit after all.

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[RandiRhodesArchives]

8. nice how this breaks when all eyes are on the torture bill

nothing to see here...

[MADem]

9. Gee, no wonder that judge wanted to jail him as soon as possible

He's probably on the BushCo payroll....! The only thing that saved Jacko from going to jail already is that both the prosecutor and defense wanted him to delay his going to jail--the prosecutor, for more dirt in exchange for leniency, and the defense because they're looking out for their client.

MIAMI – A judge agreed Thursday to again put off prison for disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a former business partner, but the delays were shorter than what lawyers on both sides sought.
Federal prosecutors and defense lawyers had jointly requested delays of 90 days beyond Monday's scheduled prison surrender date so Abramoff can continue to cooperate in a Washington corruption investigation, and Adam Kidan can provide more information about the gangland-style murder of former SunCruz Casinos owner Konstantinos Boulis.
U.S. District Judge Paul Huck reluctantly agreed to let Abramoff remain free until Nov. 15, and Adam Kidan until Oct. 23. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20060928-1210-lobbyist-fraud.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

34. Keep flapping your trap Jack

Remember the two thugs you hired to off Gus Boulis were on SunCruz's payroll at the time of the murder.

[seemslikeadream]

41. Adam Kidan can provide more information about the gangland-style murder of

Adam Kidan can provide more information about the gangland-style murder of former SunCruz Casinos owner Konstantinos Boulis.


YES


Senate panel probes claims pair bilked tribes of millions - ethnic slurs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=875095

Casino Lobbyist Won't Answer Questions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=873883

Choctaws mum on lobbyist ties
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=882412

Tribe says it will sue lobbyists over huge fees
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=882522

Scanlon ‘is hiding out’Federal marshals cannot find former aide to DeLay
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=875208

Pair Under Inquiry May Face Tribal Action
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=889455

Policy Analyst Is Said to Have Rejected Plea Deal - Larry Franklin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=887170

DeLay says he won't step down
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=891237

Ethics Rebuke to DeLay Prompts Democratic Calls for Ouster
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=889937

Abramoff Allies Keeping Distance Scrutiny for Dealings With Indian Tribes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=969291

Actions by Delay Cited in Lawsuit -NYT
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1295700

Probe of lobbyist expands to charity Abramoff
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1322522

Tom DeLay's Problems Prompt Expanded Coverage by USPoliticstoday.com
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1321753

Inquiries of Top Lobbyist Shine Unwelcome Light in Congress -NYT
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1385059&mesg_id=1385059

Inquiries of Top Lobbyist Shine Unwelcome Light in Congress -NYT
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1385059

'Delay Knew Everything. He Knew All the Details.'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1383901

Lobbyist is target of calls for inquiry into millions in fees - Abramoff
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1396990

Look Who's Talking - Jack Abramoff
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1434519


Boulis Investigation Dredges Up Big Names - Abramoff
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1839596

House ethics panel silent on scandals
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1967623

[Jackpine Radical]

11. If this doesn't take them down, nothing will.

If the media don't splash this story all over the public consciousness, they are complicit in the corruption--but of course we knew that anyway.

I can hardly wait for Hannity & Limbaugh's next broadcasts, in which they will no doubt be screaming for the resignation of the entire administration.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. It won't take them down, because most Americans just won't care. If they

don't care about torture and arbitrary and indefinite imprisonment by a tyrant, what's a little corruption that they lied about?

Seriously.

[Jackpine Radical]

20. Hell, nobody's even gonna tell them about it, anyway.

[Supersedeas]

39. the Corp Media would rather talk about Don Ho and Howard Stern

[pnwmom]

13. Did we get our October surprise early?

Hopefully it will last for the whole month . . .

[Jackpine Radical]

17. Yeah. All of October & at least the first seven days of November.

[Tin Man]

16. Glad to see it - I TRIED to bring this to the attention of DU last JULY

Sorry to pat myself on the back like this, but... last July I posted the future significance of the House subpeona to Abramoff's law firm for THEIR records of WH visits. After 1 shameless self-kick, the thread sank like whaleshit. Oh well, I'm glad to see the story developing as I had predicted.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1639306

[Jackpine Radical]

18. Yes, you were right.

But don't feel too bad about the Incredible Sinking Post. You get used to stuff like that on this board. I think it's more like a Rorschach test than a discussion. I've made inane posts that somehow triggered associations in a lot of people & the dumb threads got 80 posts. Other times I've devoted considerable thought & consideration to a serious notion & posted it only to watch it sink into oblivion with 2 hits in 2 hours.

[Tin Man]

23. Thanks

Oh yeah, I'm familiar with the dreaded ISP - had plenty of 'em. It was just that particular ISP that bugged me.

OK, I've had my cathartic moment - I feel better now... ;)

[malaise]

21. Well you were right

:applause: :applause:

[Catherine Vincent]

25. Sorry I didn't reply to your thread.

:hi:

[ms liberty]

45. And you were right...

Take comfort in the fact that you saw it coming - and you can PROVE that you saw it coming!!!

I bow to your skills of prognostication!

:applause:

[madokie]

22. that sounds more like it, I never believed the less than 100 they were

spouting a while back.

[brettdale]

26. kick

kick

[Octafish]

27. Kick it to the top.

Jack Abramoff gives the human stain a bad name, let alone what Bush does.

[seafan]

28. "The human stain..." Bet they will need some Oxydol after this:

Kendall Day, a Justice Department lawyer, said Abramoff has spent seven days debriefing government officials, put in 300 hours reviewing possible evidence, and turned over roughly 13,000 pages of electronic documents to investigators since June.

The wheels of justice grind slowly..... but they grind exceedingly fine.


Thank you for your fine contributions here, Octafish.

[brentspeak]

29. kick and rec

[Bluebear]

31. Finally a Bush bombshell.

This is going to reverberate through DC.

[mom cat]

32. But, but, but I don't think we ever met!

[DoYouEverWonder]

35. Gee, Bush said he barely knew the guy

Photos of Bush With Disgraced Lobbyist Are Confirmed

January 24, 2006




These pictures may be worth more than a thousand words.

On Monday, White House officials acknowledged that, yes, photographs did exist of President Bush in a classic grip-and-grin with Jack Abramoff, the disgraced Republican lobbyist at the center of a bribery and corruption scandal in the capital. But that did not mean, they said, that Mr. Bush had a personal relationship with him.

<snip>

Mr. Abramoff pleaded guilty on Jan. 3 to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion, and prosecutors said he had used campaign contributions, lavish trips and meals to influence lawmakers and their aides. At the White House, officials have repeatedly said that Mr. Bush had no personal relationship with Mr. Abramoff and that he did not even recall meeting him.

But White House officials have also said that Mr. Abramoff attended some "staff level" meetings at the White House as well as two White House Hanukkah receptions, in 2001 and 2002. On Monday, Mr. Bartlett suggested that some of the photographs of Mr. Bush and Mr. Abramoff might well have been from those two parties.

"I'm sure at a Hanukkah reception you would have your children with you," Mr. Bartlett said on NBC. "So I'm sure the president took pictures with him at events like that."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/politics/24fotos.html?ex=1295758800&en=446f0fbf1a73fcbb&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[Cobalt Violet]

36. So has this been in the M$M yet.

I don't get cable so I only know what others here are saying.

[Catshrink]

37. October surprise?

It's not much of a surprise (to us anyway) but this news hitting the MSM might be the Rove's greatest nightmare. Unless of course it's knocked off the by Paris Hilton getting another DUI or another blond missing in Aruba.

[newyawker99]

38. ...

:kick:

[Chicago1]

40. This made my day

Folks,

Things keep getting better. The prosecutors are WORKING THEIR WAY UP THE FOOD CHAIN. This is EXCELLENT NEWS. Keep saying your prayers. I feel good things coming!!!!


START THE REVOLUTION
START THE IMPEACHMENT

[Independent_Liberal]

43. It just keeps getting better and better! Is this one of the reasons why

Foley resigned? Did he hear rumblings in the background and decide to get out before the loud ear piercing scream rocks the House of Enron? :D

[oasis]

44. We got 'em on the run. k&r

[Hugin]

46. but... but... but... They hardly knew each other.

Just ask Ken Lay! :eyes: