Ex-(Senator) Cochran aide pleads guilty in (Abramoff) corruption probe

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — A longtime former aide to Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran has pleaded guilty to swapping legislative favors for event tickets and other gifts from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff's firm.

Ann Copland wiped tears from her eyes as she admitted taking the gifts in exchange for helping one of Abramoff's top clients, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

E-mails disclosed in court documents that Copland sent to Abramoff's firm show she was particularly demanding in what she wanted from the lobbyist.

At one point she sent a long list of ticket requests that included several concerts, hockey, ice skating and the circus. At other times she sent e-mails from inside the firm's luxury box seats complaining about the food and drinks.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ggVu4...

Cochran always had a reputation as honest and decent. I wonder if this changes that, or just shows that he hired a loser.

kind of a mild-mannered, courtly old gentleman type. He's a pork-meister supreme, but he has brought a lot of money to my state so he's popular here even among Democrats. I've seen no indication that he benefitted from Abramoff.

That should tell you HOW long ago.

I used to work for a former senator from Texas who knew Cochran a little, and he was one of the few Republicans--the only one I remember--that my boss said nice things about. He told me once that after he had lost his re-election bid, he had gone back up to DC for something, and out of habit took the private Senate elevators and hallways--something he was no longer allowed to do. He ran into Cochran, who was a freshman senator then, and Cochran recognized him. "Senator Yarborough, you aren't supposed to be back here anymore, are you?" he asked, and when Yarborough looked a little chagrined, Cochran smiled and said "Oh, I'm not going to report you," and used his pass key for Yarborough to use the elevator. Yarborough liked him forever after that.

Years ago when Cochran was being considered for Senate Majority Leader, on a whim I sent an email of that story to him, expecting to not get any reply. I wasn't even in his district anymore. About two weeks later I got an email back, clearly written by Cochran himself.

Anyway, I hope he stays a nice guy. I like being able to respect at least a couple on the other side, even if I don't agree with him on anything.

I'm all for folks who live in Mississippi telling me that Sen. Cochran is a swell guy despite being a Republican. But how does one of his aides swap "legislative favors" without involving her boss? Seems like Cochran might be or should be on the hot seat as well.

She's only crying because she was caught.	MinneapolisMatt	Mar-10-09 02:05 PM	#1
Never send emails. She should get the full monty just for being stupid.	jobycom	Mar-10-09 02:06 PM	#2
Cochran is my Senator- he's a decent enough guy for a Republican	Alhena	Mar-10-09 02:23 PM	#3
Used to be mine, long ago (although I voted for William Winter)	jobycom	Mar-10-09 02:33 PM	#4
Waitasecond	gratuitous	Mar-10-09 03:56 PM	#5
You ain't just whistling Dixie!	No Elephants	Mar-10-09 04:46 PM	#7
How could such a squeaky-clean 'puke senator have such a dirty aide who was that	indepat	Mar-10-09 04:42 PM	#6