From Reuters, 6/8/07:
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0643711820070608
Republican figure pleads guilty in Abramoff probe
By Andy Sullivan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -
A Republican activist pleaded guilty on Friday to obstructing Congress
and evading taxes in a deal with prosecutors probing the
influence-peddling scandal involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Italia Federici faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but
she will likely serve far less.
Sentencing was set for November 16 and prosecutors will weigh the
value of her cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
She also faces between $6,000 and $60,000 in fines and must pay taxes
owed plus interest.
Abramoff, currently serving a six-year prison sentence, is at the
center of a lobbying scandal that has resulted in prison time for
several Bush administration officials and one congressman.
As head of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy,
Federici, 37, had close ties to senior Interior Department officials,
including former Interior Secretary Gale Norton.
Founded by Federici and Norton in 1997, CREA is a nonprofit group that
touts Republicans' environmental accomplishments and criticizes
established environmental groups like the Sierra Club.
According to the plea agreement, Federici introduced Abramoff to the
Interior Department's No. 2 official, Steven Griles, in March 2001.
Federici and Griles at the time had what the agreement describes as a
"close, personal relationship."
Federici served as a go-between for Griles and Abramoff, whose
Indian-tribe clients had interests before the Interior Department.
Federici's involvement masked the extent of Abramoff's influence over
Griles, the agreement says, allowing the two to discuss how to block
casinos that might compete with those owned by Abramoff clients, among
other matters.
According to the agreement, Abramoff and his clients donated roughly
$500,000 of the $723,500 CREA took in during that time.
The payments stopped in May 2003.
It also said Federici sought to minimize the extent of her involvement
with Griles and Abramoff before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in
2005.
Federici also admitted to failing to pay $77,243 in taxes she owed on
the $233,955 she earned between 2001 and 2003 as head of CREA.
She pleaded guilty to both charges and her lawyers declined to comment
after the hearing.
She has previously expressed regret for her actions.
Griles pleaded guilty in March to obstructing Congress, becoming the
highest-ranking Bush administration official convicted in the lobbying
scandal.
His sentencing is scheduled for June 26.
Former Republican Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio is also serving a 30-month
prison sentence for accepting bribes.
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And that ole Republican Culture of Corruption just keeps going and
going and going and going and.........................................
Harry
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