Abramoff figure (Italia Federici) spared prison

[ProSense]

Abramoff figure spared prison

By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - An environmental advocate who arranged lobbyist Jack Abramoff's entree into the Interior Department was sentenced Friday to two months in a halfway house and four years probation.

Italia Federici, who pleaded guilty in June to tax evasion and obstructing a Senate investigation, was spared prison only because she has become a key witness in the Justice Department's ongoing corruption investigation.

Federici has admitted acting as a link between Abramoff and J. Steven Griles, the former deputy Interior Department secretary who for five years was her boyfriend. Griles provided Abramoff with advice and internal agency information, sometimes directly and sometimes through Federici.

<...>

Griles, the highest-ranking Bush administration official charged in the Abramoff scandal, is serving 10 months in prison. Abramoff is serving prison time for an unrelated fraudulent casino deal. His sentencing in the Capitol Hill influence peddling case has repeatedly been delayed so he can keep helping prosecutors.

more

Former Interior deputy admits lying to Senate

Bush's legacy: a criminal perspective (or The GOP: what a racket)


Edited title.

[L. Coyote]

1. Her sentence was delayed when she agreed to cooperate with investigators.

And, she must have sung like a bird to get off this easy!!

Her lying in a Congressional hearing provides a classic moment in American politics.

Sen. Dorgan told her, paraphrasing, "I may be from a small town, but I think I recognize a big lie."

[Agony]

2. One wonders??

I remember watching her testify live on CSPAN way back when... knowing it was all a crock. And still I wonder, is this all a crock too?

Does anyone believe that the Justice Department is actually capable of justice any more? Great she sang, but will this result in additional prosecutions? Otherwise why should she get reduced time for talking? I am having a very very hard time trusting the JD to do the right thing... Just sayin'

Agony