Abramoff gets jail sentence

30.03.2006

Disgraced former US lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced to nearly six years in jail this week for conspiracy and fraud.

Abramoff had pleaded guilty to the charges, which relate to the purchase of a fleet of casino boats in 2000. In a separate case, he admitted to tax evasion, defrauding his clients and conspiring to bribe public officials.

An ongoing federal inquiry is said to be focusing on his dealings with up to 20 politicians in Congress.

The case has sent shockwaves through Washington's political establishment, raising fears that in reaction to its disclosures on Abramoff's activities as an anti-prohibitionist lobbier, politicians may vote for online gambling banning Bills currently in process.

The federal judge in Miami gave Abramoff a total of 70 months - five years and 10 months - in jail this week. Abramoff and his former business partner - Adam Kidan - were accused of faking a wire transfer of $23 million (GBP 13 million) to obtain loans for the purchase of the SunCruz casino.

The sentence was the minimum under his plea agreement in the case.

Kidan was also sentenced to 70 months in jail. Both were also ordered to pay $21.7 million (GBP 12.5 million) in restitution.

Abramoff said in court that the case was "incredibly painful" for him personally, but also for his family and his friends. "In the past few years I have begun the process of becoming a new man," he said.

Abramoff - along with Kidan - does not have to begin serving his sentences for another 90 days in order to be able to continue co-operating in the separate Washington case. In January 2006 Abramoff admitted to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe. A day later he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in SunCruz case.

In his January disclosures, Abramoff pleaded guilty to defrauding the Native American tribes that were his clients, to tax evasion and to conspiring to bribe public officials.

The wide-ranging federal inquiry began in 2004 after reports that he and business partner Michael Scanlon had received some $45 million (GBP 26 million) from Native American tribes with casinos.

Abramoff was accused of exploiting the tribes to enrich himself and his friends, and offering politicians in both houses of Congress lavish meals, tickets to major sporting events and trips. He was a major fundraiser for Republican politicians, including the former house republican leader Tom Delay. Most have now deserted him and denied any wrongdoing.

No date has been set for sentencing in the second case, but his co-operation with investigators is likely to lead to a reduced jail term.