Federal prosecutors recommended a two-year prison term Friday for an ex-aide to former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) who became a key government witness in the pursuit of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Michael Scanlon, a spokesman for DeLay who became a top partner with Abramoff, faces sentencing Feb. 11 before U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle.
Scanlon's case is one of the last remaining from the 2000 to 2005 scandal, in which lobbyists showered lawmakers and other federal officials with lavish gifts, trips and luxury meals and tickets in exchange for government favors.
Scanlon was the first to plead guilty, in November 2005. Prosecutors said his early and detailed cooperation helped crack open the case, which led to 20 convictions.
Full story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/04/AR2011020406354.html