Abramoff says he worked (close) with top Republicans

[Tiggeroshii]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff said in the latest issue of Vanity Fair magazine that he worked closely with many top Republicans, despite their claims to the contrary.

Any important Republican who comes out and says they didn't know me is almost certainly lying," he said in the magazine's April edition, released to reporters on Wednesday.

Abramoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges in January and is cooperating with prosecutors in a corruption probe that could implicate lawmakers and officials across Washington.

In his plea, he admitted that he showered golf trips, sports tickets and other gifts on lawmakers in return for actions that would help his clients.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060308/ts_nm/crime_abramoff_dc

[ck4829]

1. Redeem yourself Abramoff

Name names.

[Danieljay]

2. the devil in the details right here

"Lawmakers from both parties received campaign cash from Abramoff or his clients, although Abramoff only worked directly with Republicans."

Key words "or his clients" (and thats not the crime)

Key words "only worked directly with Republicans"

[Beetwasher]

3. I Thought The Dems Were Involved In This Too...

How odd, not a single one mentioned by him. Go figure.

[lumpy]

4. Love it. Abramoff spilling the beans.

v

[anitar1]

27. The very idea of Abe and DeLay discussing the bible while

fleecing , lying and betraying others makes me want to gag. I'll include Ralphie in this too, as he is the scum of the earth.

[Kung Fu Bovine]

5. We're Not Changing Our Stories!

I think it's funny that most Republicans will tell you that Bush has a mind like a steel trap...

...then in the same breath, they'll tell you that there's no way Bush would remember meeting Abramoff several times (we've seen the pics), getting campaign contributions from him (everyone knows that), and inviting him to his ranch (nookie?). Err...which is it?

[Tiggeroshii]

6. I agree with a previous poster

I want him to name names!

I'm sure it's coming...

[rodeodance]

7. keep talking abe!!!!! go for the gold-bring your friends down also PLEASE.

[FVZA_Colonel]

8. Well, I always thought Jack Abramoff would do what was good for Jack

Abramoff, and I guess I was right. I can't imagine, though, that he would name names, especially big names, and not receive a reduced prison term in exchange.

[Tiggeroshii]

10. i can

The people prosecuting him are pretty much the same people who can get implicated by him, right? The federal government...

[lovuian]

9. Someones Lying???

:crazy:

[usregimechange]

11. Abramoff talks to Vanity Fair (New Photos!)

Vanity Fair is set to publish a tell-all interview with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, noting that his plea-bargain sentence can be "substantially reduced" by co-operating with investigators.

The piece makes much of many prominent Republican's denials of having worked with Abramoff. Abramoff reminisces about jokes President Bush, who now claims not to remember him, made about his weight training program. Abramoff also recalls discussing the Bible, opera, and golf with Tom DeLay.

Abramoff also alleges that RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman provided Abramoff political favors--including aiding in the removal of a State Department official.

Abramoff also claims to have funneled $50,000 donated by clients to a charity he set up to pay for a golf trip for himself, Ohio Republican Bob Ney, and former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed (currently seeking the office of Lt. Governor for the state of Georgia). Reed also once served as Abramoff's projects director.

http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Abramoff_talks_to_Vanity_Fair_0308.html

[Caoimhe]

12. Wow, Abramoff wasn't so bad looking.. what happened?

Is that supposed to be him in the photo with Tom Decay? I know.. evil lurks in all physical appearances, but that picture kindof threw me off.

[usregimechange]

13. That is him..

[Lochloosa]

14. One more nail in the cross of Reed...

I hope the one going through his feet hurt like hell!

[stepnw1f]

15. Oh My..... Drip, Drip, Drip...

it just keeps commin'.

[usregimechange]

16. That leak was illegal! The State should put a stop to it!

[Danieljay]

17. notice the photograph with Clinton...but not one with Bush. hmmm n/t.

[usregimechange]

20. Where is there a pic with Clinton?

[Danieljay]

23. My bad....image was Newt. Sorry bout that. Bad resolution. n/t

http://www.vanityfair.com/pdf/pressroom/advance_Abramoff.pdf

[Ouabache]

18. Nice pimp hat there on the Bugman

nt

[0007]

19. Jack & the Bean Stock

Cut it down Jack, cut it down. Bring junior to his fucking knees!

[usregimechange]

21. Ha! I love it!

[0007]

22. Thanks.

[texpatriot2004]

24. How interesting. nm

[KnaveRupe]

25. This part killed me:

Abramoff says it would be "stupid" to send him to prison, saying he'd rather sweep floors at an Indian reservation.

“Let me teach English, history, music," he quipped. "Or let me sweep floors at the reservation. Instead you’ll be paying to feed me to sit in a jail.”

Ummmm.... here's a notion - send Abramoff to jail AND make him sweep reservation floors. Or better yet, make him clean the restrooms at the casinos. With his tongue.

That will prepare him for those long, lonely nights in the cell with the Tossed Salad Man!

I know - that's nothing new for Abramoff, but c'mon! Abramoff is only used to giving that treatment to Rich White Politicos. He'll need some prep time if he's going to perform like that on a 350 lb. cellmate serving time for murder!

*Edit for typos.

[NVMojo]

26. What Indian Tribe would even want the scumbag around? He's damaged them

and their reputation nationwide. At a recent tribal conference held in DC, the tribal leaders said they are being avoided by Congress like the plague and over half of them don't even have casinos and aren't looking at getting one! Abramoff did the dirty deeds and tribes got the blame? How fecked up is that?

[BuyingThyme]

29. kcik

[Octafish]

28. Where'd all that K-Street Project money come from?

Where'd all that crooked money go?