A CHILL DESCENDS ON WASHINGTON
Abramoff reportedly ready to deal

From the New York Times via the Houston Chronicle:

Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist who may be facing an array of fraud and corruption charges, has been talking with prosecutors about a deal that would grant him a reduced sentence in exchange for testifying against former political and business associates, people with knowledge of the case said.

What began as a limited inquiry into $82 million of Indian-casino lobbying work by Abramoff and his closest partner, Michael Scanlon, has broadened into a far-reaching corruption investigation of mainly Republican lawmakers and aides suspected of accepting favors in exchange for legislative work.

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Fantastic! Abramoff's going to testify. What's so marvelous about this is that the uber-lobbyist had his fingers all over the GOP side of Capitol Hill: it sounds like he's going to name names, and it may very well be an extremely long list. What this is about, ultimately, is catching legislators in quid pro quo exchanges for actual legislation. That is, in exchange for getting laws passed on behalf of his corporate clients, Abramoff rewarded Congressmen with lavish gifts and vacations, choice lobbying jobs for former politicians and their families, and massive campaign donations. This kind of case is virtually impossible to prosecute unless you get an insider to switch sides, and that's exactly what's happening here. Don't get me wrong on this; Democrats are largely rotten, too. However, the Republicans are in waaaay deeper than their opposition, and it'll be fun to watch them fry.

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