Two Former Aides to DeLay Paved Way for Lobby Deal

[quaoar]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-saipan6may06,0,5101857.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Their work on Saipan helped get a contract for a lawyer now the target of a corruption probe.

By Walter F. Roche Jr. and Chuck Neubauer, Times Staff Writers

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — Two former top aides of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's brokered a political deal here five years ago that helped land island government contracts worth $1.6 million for a Washington lobbyist now the target of a federal corruption probe.

Using promises of U.S. tax dollars as bartering chips, Edwin A. Buckham and Michael Scanlon traveled to these remote Pacific islands in late 1999 to convince two local legislators to switch their votes for speaker of the territory's 18-member House of Representatives. They succeeded.

Once in office, the new speaker pressed the governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to reinstate an expired lobbying pact with Jack Abramoff, now under grand jury and congressional investigation.

Within months of the visit, Abramoff's law firm had a contract paying $100,000 a month from the Marianas government. Also, the island districts of the legislators who switched sides soon won federal budget benefits from Congress, apparently supported by DeLay.

[quaoar]

1. This should get DeLay indicted

"This is starting to smell more like criminal activity — trading congressional appropriations for votes," said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez).

[WhiteTara]

2. wow! real journalism!

what a pleasure to have read such an indepth report that actually had people working "on location" instead of spewing the words of the liars and thieves. I'm so happy that Tom (I am the US Government) DeLay is going to do the perp walk!
:applause:

[quaoar]

3. Yes, and you would think

that it would stir some interest here.

[UpInArms]

4. but.. but... but...

the Bugman is on his knees and calling for humility - because "we are all sinners"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1448777&mesg_id=1448777

[dusty64]

5. It should be interesting

to see what if any coverage the corporate media gives this story and the growing ties to the WH, what with the paula abdul "scandal" and the runaway bride and all...................

[quaoar]

6. It was the lead story on the LA Times web site

The paper had the initiative to send a reporter to Saipan to dig into this. The NY Times has a reporter there, too.

A story comes out that, although complicated, could actually result in criminal charges against DeLay -- he sold his influence and this is the smoking gun.

[dusty64]

7. Well thats surprisingly

good news. At least something positive today................

[quaoar]

8. yeah, but

I don't want to hear anyone complaining about how the MSM won't go to the trouble of investigating the Republicans. When they do it goes over with a big yawn around here.

[0007]

9. This is first class racketeering - Great article.

Tom DeLay may even go to prison.