Reply #87: Another ex-DeLay aide pleads guilty in US scandal (more info)

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/misc/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=uri:2006-03-31T190125Z_01_N31237875_RTRIDST_0_CRIME-ABRAMOFF-UPDATE-3.XML

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - A former top aide to Texas Republican Rep. Tom DeLay pleaded guilty in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal on Friday, the second ex-aide to the powerful congressman to admit wrongdoing and agree to cooperate.

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Rudy worked for DeLay from 1995 through 2000, while DeLay was a Republican leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rudy then joined Abramoff as a lobbyist. They conspired together to influence members of Congress, prosecutors said.

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Rudy accepted $86,000 from Abramoff while working as a DeLay staffer, according to the court documents. In return, Rudy asked lawmakers to vote against an Internet-gambling bill that would have harmed one of Abramoff's clients.

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"The American public loses when officials and lobbyists conspire to buy and sell influence in such a corrupt and brazen manner," Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher said.