Abramoff's Work for Publishers of Magazines Under Scrutiny

[G_j]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/09/business/media/09magazine.html?th=&emc=th&pagewanted=print

January 9, 2006

Lobbyist's Work for Publishers of Magazines Under Scrutiny
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

The press has spilled plenty of ink writing about Jack Abramoff, the powerful Washington lobbyist at the center of an extensive corruption scandal. But little noticed is that among Mr. Abramoff's many clients was the press itself, at least part of it. In 2000, he represented the Magazine Publishers Association, and it turns out that some of the association's money may have been funneled to Mr. Abramoff's political allies.

In documents last week in which Mr. Abramoff pleaded guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy to bribe public officials, he revealed that he and an unidentified Congressional aide worked to stave off an increase in postal rates - a significant benefit for an industry that depends on the postal service.

The plea document said that Mr. Abramoff and the Congressional aide performed "a series of official acts, including assisting in stopping legislation regarding Internet gambling and opposing postal rate increases."
<snip>

The magazine association paid at least $1.4 million from 2000 to 2003 to Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, the lobbying firm where Mr. Abramoff was the chief lobbyist.

..more..

[mom cat]

1. more:

The magazine association paid at least $1.4 million from 2000 to 2003 to Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, the lobbying firm where Mr. Abramoff was the chief lobbyist.

Howard Rubenstein, the public relations executive who represents the association, said the amount was $1.8 million; a spokeswoman for Preston Gates put the amount at $1.4 million.

The money was part of a broader, $10 million campaign by the association to keep postal rates down, explore reform of the postal system and seek alternate means of delivering magazines.

Mr. Abramoff left the firm at the end of 2000 and the association stopped using Preston Gates in 2003. But, Mr. Rubenstein said, "Jack Abramoff was one of a number of people at Preston Gates who worked on the M.P.A. account."

This guy certainly got around.

[FreedomAngel82]

2. Oh wow

And didn't Chris Matthews also receive money from him?

[lovuian]

3. I think so... WOW He got around didn't he

a mill here and a mill there!!!

[mom cat]

7. Hope the investigation leads to more of "K Street"

[mom cat]

6. As deep throat once said: "Follow the money"

:popcorn:

[TahitiNut]

4. $1.8 million minus $1.4 million = $400,000

That's a nice little chunk of change that (perhaps) was pocketed by Abramoff ... and what Congresscritter?

[G_j]

5. not bad eh?

and all those various chunks add up!

[mom cat]

9. That is a lot of catfood!

[mom cat]

8. This gets better and better.