http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Abramoff_talks_to_Vanity_Fair_0308.html
Abramoff talks to Vanity Fair
RAW STORY
March 8, 2006
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.
The article is supported by images of Abramoff with everyone from
Ronald Reagan to Newt Gingrich, and is prefaced by a two-page spread
of the lobbyist golfing with Tom DeLay.
The Gingrich photo is signed, "Your friend, Newt Gingrich." "I have
more pictures of Newt than I have of my wife," the fallen lobbyist
tells the magazine.
The article also notes that the photographs taken with President Bush,
which are in Abramoff's possession, are the lobbyist's sole "potential
source of funds."
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."
In the past, Vanity Fair lawyers have demanded that RAW STORY not
print excerpts from their pieces (including the four paragraphs
generally allowed by law).
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Can't miss this issue of Vanity Fair.
Harry
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