Jack Abramoff - Deal Close

The New York Times reports that Jack Abramoff is close to a plea bargain deal that will soon have him testifying against many in the Republican congress of corruption.

"Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist under indictment for fraud in South Florida, is expected to complete a plea agreement in the Miami criminal case, setting the stage for him to become a crucial witness in a broad federal corruption investigation, people with direct knowledge of the case said.

One participant in the case said the deal could be made final as early as next week.

The terms of the plea deal have not been completed, and the negotiations are especially complicated because they involve prosecutors both in Miami and in Washington, where Mr. Abramoff is being investigated in a separate influence-peddling inquiry, participants said. Details of what he feels comfortable pleading guilty to are "probably largely worked out," the participant said, while the details of the prison sentence are less resolved."

Abramoff's cooperation has got to be keeping several well know congressional Republicans awake at night. The Washington Post charted Abramoff's known associations. Although, Abramoff spread his dollars to Democrats as well as Republicans, his closest and most lucrative ties are with Republicans Tom Delay, Bob Ney, Conrad Burns, John Doolittle (also implicated in the Cunningham scandal), John Cornyn and many of their congressional staffers and wives, who appear on the payroll of various organizations with Abramoff ties. Sourcewatch has a great summary of the key players and their links to Abramoff.

Abramoff's ties to the Bush Administration include direct fundraising for Bush himself and close associations with Carl Rove, Dick Cheney, former Attorney General John Ashcroft and many of thier staff members. According to USA Today:

"...his team also had extensive access to Bush administration officials, meeting with Cheney policy advisers Ron Christie and Stephen Ruhlen, Ashcroft at the Justice Department, White House intergovernmental affairs chief Ruben Barrales, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, Deputy Interior Secretary Steven Griles and others...

At least two people who worked on Abramoff's team at Preston Gates wound up with Bush administration jobs: Patrick Pizzella, named an assistant secretary of labor by Bush; and David Safavian, chosen by Bush to oversee federal procurement policy in the Office of Management and Budget."

What is remarkable about Abramoff's corruption is how incredibly guilty he turns out to be. His indictment in Florida, which is driving his plea bargain agreement was announced in August. So, much like Duke Cunningham in California, Abramoff is not even going to mount a court defense, he is cutting a deal.

"Mr. Abramoff was indicted in Florida on Aug. 11 on charges stemming from his purchase of a fleet of casino boats in 2000. Prosecutors said Mr. Abramoff and a business partner, Adam Kidan, falsified documents and lied about their financing in order to complete the purchase. Mr. Kidan pleaded guilty last week, leaving Mr. Abramoff to face six criminal counts and up to 30 years in prison as case's sole defendant.

But after a lengthy bargaining phase, Mr. Abramoff's lawyers and prosecutors in the Florida case appear closer to resolving several of the central issues in the plea deal, in which the defendant would receive a reduced prison sentence - most likely in the range of five to seven years, though that is fluid - in exchange for pleading guilty and agreeing to testify against his former associates."

After his deal in Florida, Abramoff still faces more investigation in Washington. With a Florida conviction behind him, jail time in front of him, Abramoff is likely to be ready to give up many of his former close Republican associates in return for some consideration by the courts.

Pleasant dreams.