Republicans fear lobbyist's plea bargain

[lovuian]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article334677.ece

The ruling Republican establishment in Washington is bracing for a major scandal after indications that an indicted top lobbyist linked to the party is about to tell all to investigators under a plea deal with prosecutors.

Lawyers close to the investigation said yesterday that they expected the lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, to reach the deal within a fortnight, before he faces trial in Miami in a separate case in which he is charged with fraud relating to his purchase of Florida casino boats in 2000.

But this could become a sideshow if a plea bargain agreement is reached. Under it, Mr Abramoff would receive a reduced sentence in Miami, in return for testifying against his business and political associates in Washington - possibly including his ex-patron Tom DeLay, the former Republican majority leader in the House. Mr DeLay denies all wrongdoing.

The Abramoff affair first hit the headlines last year, with the revelation that Mr Abramoff and his partner Michael Scanlon bilked Indian tribes out of more than $80m as they lobbied in Washington to promote the tribes' casino gambling interests.
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Ahhh got a present for the Holidays...Republicans roasting on a open fire...