NYT: Ex-White House Aide Charged in Corruption Case

[Bumblebee]

By PHILIP SHENON and ANNE E. KORNBLUT
Published: September 20, 2005

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 - A senior White House budget official who resigned abruptly last week was arrested Monday on charges of lying to investigators and obstructing a federal inquiry involving Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist who has been under scrutiny by the Justice Department for more than a year.

The arrest of the official, David H. Safavian, head of procurement policy at the Office of Management and Budget, was the first to result from the wide-ranging corruption investigation of Mr. Abramoff, once among the most powerful and best-paid lobbyists in Washington and a close friend of Representative Tom DeLay, the House majority leader.

According to court papers, Mr. Safavian, 38, is accused of lying about assistance that he gave Mr. Abramoff in his earlier work at the General Services Administration, where he was chief of staff from 2002 to 2004, and about an expensive golf trip he took with the lobbyist to Scotland in August 2002.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/20/politics/20lobby.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5094&en=083385ffda531ffa&hp&ex=1127275200&partner=homepage

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. and it goes from Raw Story to the NYT

now I hope we get this on the local nightly

[babylonsister]

2. This gets better and better! Could DeLay be in the mix?

Here's hoping!

[autorank]

3. The circle is closing, the walls are collapsing, this is moving to the

final act. This is no accident. Abramoff is reputedly tied to some very unsavory folks, including those who don't like us very much. This is no accident, it's a predicate.

[Tiggeroshii]

4. RAW story got it wrong.

At first I thought he was HEAD of the OMB, but he's head of procurement policy, not an official cabinet member. I thought NYTimes was downplaying the significance, but RAW Story was overstating his position, by getting it wrong and saying he was the head of it. That's why I don't like biased news sources.... You have to always be critical of things. Whether it's the MSM, Mother Jones, or the Washington Times.

not to say this isn't really good news, but it would be nicer if he was a higher position as implied by RAW story. And also, independent news sources are still real good in giving us information the MSM wouldn't, but it's still biased and you gotta be skeptical sometimes. So yeah. Don't get me wrong here, they just got the position wrong.

[usregimechange]

6. Still he was a senior Bush official with ties to Delay, Rove, etc.

[usregimechange]

7. This is the best reporting of this, nominated.

[Tiggeroshii]

9. Yeah.

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Raw Story got it right. You read it wrong.

"The Raw Story - Bush Management and Budget Procurement chief arrested..."

[Tiggeroshii]

15. Got me.

I only skimmed it. I retract my accusation. sorry sorry

[KoKo]

27. WaPo Article says he "set purchasing policy for Entire Government! & FEMA

washingtonpost.comBush Official Arrested in Corruption Probe

By R. Jeffrey Smith and Susan Schmidt
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, September 20, 2005; A01

The Bush administration's top federal procurement official resigned Friday and was arrested yesterday, accused of lying and obstructing a criminal investigation into Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with the federal government. It was the first criminal complaint filed against a government official in the ongoing corruption probe related to Abramoff's activities in Washington.

The complaint, filed by the FBI, alleges that David H. Safavian, 38, a White House procurement official involved until last week in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, made repeated false statements to government officials and investigators about a golf trip with Abramoff to Scotland in 2002.

It also contends that he concealed his efforts to help Abramoff acquire control of two federally managed properties in the Washington area. Abramoff is the person identified as "Lobbyist A" in a 13-page affidavit unsealed in court, according to sources knowledgeable about the probe.

Until his resignation on the day the criminal complaint against him was signed, Safavian was the top administrator at the federal procurement office in the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he set purchasing policy for the entire government.

[Tiggeroshii]

33. Oh wow

Hmm... SOMEbody's downplaying something, anyways. Not to say they all don't have some damaging information in em. Hah. I've come to the conclusion that referring to him as a "White House aide" is downplaying his significance...

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Something makes me want to run around screaming,

"The Sky is falling! The Sky is falling!"

[Bumblebee]

8. I know -- seems like between this one and Fitzgerald's

the whole WH should be unravelling... Let's hope so.

[Tiggeroshii]

12. I pray I pray I pray I pray I pray I pray

Well actually I don't, but I have a spritual will for that to all be true, and the further unraveling of evil within the spiritual warfare which the angels play through will one day prevail. We will rebuke the devils, and it will be a day for Grace and good to prevail forever!

:P

Sorry, I couldn't help myself, the whole evangelical rant is still kinda in me.

[Bumblebee]

14. no problem -- as long as it's applied to the right cause :)

[babylonsister]

21. Oh, there's more than that. "Able Danger" adds to the mix. nt

[ladylibertee]

11. WOW ! I've been hearing a lot of stories similar to this where

"rich" people are getting thrown in the slammer for lying to the FED's.I'ts about time.Warning:Rove,DeLay,Bush....hell why not just say, "REPUBLICANS" Your years of reign are ending.Start funding your future homes now: prison.

[Carolab]

13. How about the Tyco indictments today?

What's Abramoff's connection to Tyco?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8941526/site/newsweek/

[Jackpine Radical]

16. Since you ask...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8941526/site/newsweek/


Another possible reason for the Feds' stance: to pressure Abramoff to cooperate in a broader, D.C.-based probe that could touch members of Congress and Bush administration officials. The probe centers on tens of millions in allegedly inflated lobbying fees Abramoff collected from Indian gaming tribes. But that's not all that's under scrutiny. A lawyer for another client, Tyco International, tells NEWSWEEK that it's turned over to Justice evidence alleging Abramoff defrauded it with a lobbying campaign against legislation to bar federal contracts to U.S. companies, like Tyco, headquartered in overseas tax havens. Tyco, based in Bermuda, paid $1.7 million to Abramoff's firm in 2003 and 2004—plus $1.5 million for a "grass roots" campaign to gin up opposition to the effort among Tyco's domestic suppliers. The Tyco official who hired Abramoff is the firm's general counsel, Tim Flanigan, a former White House lawyer nominated by President Bush for deputy attorney general. Tyco lawyer George Terwilliger says the firm "was a victim of a rip-off." Abramoff, he says, recommended the $1.5 million be paid to Grassroots Interactive, a group that allegedly did little work and later diverted funds for other purposes. Grassroots is "controlled" by Abramoff, says Nathan Lewin, a lawyer for Tyco's registered agent. Abramoff's former law firm has agreed "in principle" to repay the $1.5 million, says a source close to Tyco who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

[ladylibertee]

18. Ooohhh, Tasty gossip. keep it coming yall.

[Carolab]

20. Say, you don't think there was maybe a deal made here?

A bit of the old trade-off...Tyco's officers get sentenced in exchange for letting Abramoff off the hook on this one? Or am I way off base?

[starroute]

31. The name George Terwilliger jumped out at me

There was a long thread here at DU a year ago on various sorts of right-wing shenanigans:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1146495#1157108

In the course of posting there, I ran into the name of George Terwilliger as being:

- A deputy attorney general under Ed Meese who was working in 1986 to suppress revelations of government involvement in Iran-Contra.

- One of Bush's lawyers during the Florida recount.

- Linked to Americans for a Better Country, the group which in 2004 was learning on the FEC to impose crippling restrictions on liberal non-profits.

- One of the people hired by CBS last fall to help investigate the memos fiasco.

If this is the same George Terwilliger -- and could there really be two of them? -- things get very interesting indeed.

[Bumblebee]

17. WP has a story on the front page as well

and even his picture

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/19/AR2005091901859.html

Bush Official Arrested in Corruption Probe

By R. Jeffrey Smith and Susan Schmidt
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, September 20, 2005; Page A01

The Bush administration's top federal procurement official resigned Friday and was arrested yesterday, accused of lying and obstructing a criminal investigation into Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with the federal government. It was the first criminal complaint filed against a government official in the ongoing corruption probe related to Abramoff's activities in Washington.

The complaint, filed by the FBI, alleges that David H. Safavian, 38, a White House procurement official involved until last week in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, made repeated false statements to government officials and investigators about a golf trip with Abramoff to Scotland in 2002.

[alcibiades_mystery]

26. Did Steno Sue give the White House's position?

Y'know, for balance and all...

:rofl:

[loudsue]

19. Republicans are SLIMIER than the mold/pollution/water in New Orleans!!!

It goes deep. It's WHO they are. Slimy, lying, cheating, mafia assholes, every one of 'em.

:kick:

[John Q. Citizen]

22. Cool!? Nominated

Here's more from the artcle..

snip

The White House said in a statement that Mr. Safavian had resigned on Friday and that "we, of course, will cooperate fully with the Justice Department in this investigation." A spokesman said the White House would have no further comment on the arrest.

Mr. Safavian had recently been working on developing contracting policies for the multibillion-dollar relief effort after Hurricane Katrina.

The Justice Department did not reveal details of Mr. Safavian's arrest, including where it occurred. The department also did not say why the criminal charges were brought directly by prosecutors, rather than by the Washington grand jury investigating Mr. Abramoff. The Justice Department often bypasses a grand jury when a criminal case is brought together hurriedly or when there is fear that a defendant may try to flee.

The F.B.I. affidavit, which was dated Friday and made public on Monday, said that Mr. Safavian had provided extensive, secret assistance to Mr. Abramoff in 2002, when the lobbyist wanted help on behalf of a client to arrange a lease on favorable terms for the Old Post Office Building, which was controlled by the General Services Administration. The affidavit said the client was one of several Indian tribes that Mr. Abramoff has represented.

snip

[bklyncowgirl]

23. The Bush Administration "Where incompetence meets corruption."

It's gonna be a long three years.

[GOPAgainstGW]

24. See This Thread Re: Tom DeLay Related Recent Indictments

FEC Sues Pro-GOP Group Over Fundraising
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1792881

[FlashHarry]

25. kicked/nominated

:kick:

[KoKo]

28. Good GAWD...Did you see what Safavian's Wife Does? From article:

His wife, Jennifer Safavian, is chief counsel for oversight and investigations on the House Government Reform Committee, which is responsible for overseeing government procurement and is, among other things, expected to conduct the Congressional investigation into missteps after Hurricane Katrina.

Both Mr. Safavian and his wife graduated from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. They have a daughter.

According to his former colleagues in the Bush administration and interviews he gave, Mr. Safavian considered encouraging "competitive sourcing" or outsourcing government work to private contractors to be a primary goal in his job at the Office of Management and Budget.

[KoKo]

29. If Safavians wife Is in charge of Congress Investigation into FEMA Misstep

then there has to be a connection to Tom DeLay. Does the nepotism Never End in DC? It's incestuous all this Crime. All of DC needs to be cleaned out!


His wife, Jennifer Safavian, is chief counsel for oversight and investigations on the House Government Reform Committee, which is responsible for overseeing government procurement and is, among other things, expected to conduct the Congressional investigation into missteps after Hurricane Katrina.

Both Mr. Safavian and his wife graduated from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. They have a daughter.

According to his former colleagues in the Bush administration and interviews he gave, Mr. Safavian considered encouraging "competitive sourcing" or outsourcing government work to private contractors to be a primary goal in his job at the Office of Management and Budget.

[Bumblebee]

30. Yup, it's all in the family. Bushie believes in family connections

and why shouldn't he? Sure helped him! :)

[Orion The Hunter]

32. A few plea deals later...

And hopefully DeLay will be wearing some cuffs.

[KoKo]

34. Democrats tried to Block Safavian's appointment !

Teaching Uncle Sam to Be a Better Buyer
New Procurement Administrator Will Oversee How Federal Contracts Are Awarded

By Stephen Barr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 21, 2005; Page A15



Safavian was nominated by President Bush for the OMB post on Jan. 22, 2004, and was confirmed just before Thanksgiving. His nomination was held up, along with about 150 others last year, by Senate Democrats who objected to a number of administration policies.

During part of his wait for confirmation, Safavian served as counselor to Clay Johnson III, deputy director for management at the OMB. Safavian had previously served as chief of staff at the GSA, where he picked up experience in federal contracting issues.

He started his career as a lawyer and worked on Capitol Hill for three House members. He also has worked as a consultant and lobbyist on telecommunications, Indian gambling, tax policy and other matters. In his free time on weekends, he serves as a volunteer police officer in the District and in Dumfries, Va.


-Snip-
Safavian, in addition to once working on the Hill as an aide to lawmakers, has also been a lobbyist. He was a co-founder of the lobby and consulting shop Janus-Merritt Strategies -- with Grover Norquist, a Republican anti-tax activist -- and has lobbied for the National Indian Gaming Association, the Interactive Gaming Council, the Interactive Services Association, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, NorthPoint Communications Inc. and Covad Communications, among others.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24738-2005Jan20.html