Ex-Bush aide Safavian apologizes at sentencing

[Judi Lynn]

Ex-Bush aide Safavian apologizes at sentencing
By Richard Cowan
Reuters

Oct 27, 2006 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Bush administration official David Safavian tearfully apologized at a sentencing hearing on Friday for his role in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling scandal that has ensnared Republicans.

"I stand here contrite and ashamed," Safavian, convicted on charges of lying and obstruction of justice, said at the hearing less than two weeks before elections that will determine whether Republicans keep control of the U.S. Congress.

Safavian, 39, a former chief of staff of the General Services Administration and ex-White House budget office appointee, faces up to 20 years in prison after the jury convicted him on four counts. He was expected to be sentenced later in the day.

Besides the Iraq war, ethics breaches have dominated many U.S. Senate and House of Representatives campaigns nationwide, allowing Democrats to accuse Republicans of fostering a "culture of corruption" in Washington.
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http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2611625