WP: Probe Finds $10 Million in Payments to Lobbyist (Repub.)

[barbaraann]

By Susan Schmidt, Washington Post Staff Writer

Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff received $10 million in previously undisclosed payments from a public relations executive whom he recommended for work with wealthy Indian tribes that operate casinos, congressional investigators have determined.

Abramoff, one of Washington's best-connected Republican lobbyists, this month was forced out of his firm, Greenberg Traurig, after revelations that he and the executive -- Michael S. Scanlon, a former spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) -- had persuaded four newly wealthy tribes to pay them fees of more than $45 million over the past three years. That amount rivals spending on public policy by some of the nation's biggest corporate interests.
...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/a34542_2004mar29


Profiteering and corruption are not adequate words to describe what the Republicans are doing now, IMHO.

[xchrom]

1. there is so much to say here

from fleecing first nation folks to endemic republican corruption continuing in a straight line from nixon to -- aw fuck it -- sometimes, i swear this country has gone off the deep end and there is no hope of reviving it.

[izzie]

2. Well back to getting the Indians.

n/t

[Sugarbleus]

3. Why am I not surprised at this double dealing........but fleecing our

Native peoples is just TOO much. Thanks for the post. :grr:

[aquart]

8. Fleecing? I don't think so. Extortion. I like extortion.

Talking poor dumb Indians out of their new shiny money is fleecing.

Telling tribesman looking to do things with their wealth that they won't get anything they want unless they pay up to the right people, that's extortion. And I have the sneakiest tiny suspician that's what we're dealing with.

Which do you think it is?

[Sugarbleus]

10. EXTORTION.... that's the word I was trying to remember....yes!

A lot of extortion going on all around...

[dbt]

4. Paid lobbying has GOT to be outlawed!

And all members of Congress MUST wear uniforms and live in barracks. It's the American way!

:bounce:
dbt

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Now we know why Tom Delay has been so quiet.

One hydra head down, many to follow.

[NashVegas]

6. I Guess These Are His Stooges, Eh?

Abramoff, one of Washington's best-connected Republican lobbyists, this month was forced out of his firm, Greenberg Traurig, after revelations that he and the executive -- Michael S. Scanlon, a former spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) -- had persuaded four newly wealthy tribes to pay them fees of more than $45 million over the past three years. That amount rivals spending on public policy by some of the nation's biggest corporate interests.

When DeLay's political career comes to a screaching halt, it will be time to celebrate - as long as there's time to undo his damage.

[yellowcanine]

7. You don't suppose his "charity" got some of that money do you?

Maybe this is the indictment that Tommy is worried about?

[snippy]

9. Another day, another felony. How very republican.

[peterh]

11. Extortion and sweatshops…

How very republican….

http://www.salon.com/news/1999/02/04news.html

[loudsue]

12. OMG! Did you catch this!??

"Michael S. Scanlon, a former spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) -- had persuaded four newly wealthy tribes to pay them fees of more than $45 million over the past three years. That amount rivals spending on public policy by some of the nation's biggest corporate interests."

That's supposed to make us feel better??? That corporations are purchasing public policy???? <like we didn't already know it.>

It's just so damn shocking to see it in print, and know that it's supposed to be public knowledge how our corporations are corrupting our system of government.

This whole picture is f****** UNBELIEVABLE. They are mocking and bilking the Indians! I want to see every single one of these thugs locked up under the RICO statutes....or something that will show they're the organized politico-criminals they are. And I want to see Mr. big britches Delay doing a perp walk for all the crooked things he's done from Texas to both coasts and both borders.

Gawd I hate the mob ruining this country!!

:argh::nuke::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::argh::nuke: