Uh oh. After months of Beltway whisperings, is the Abramoff scandal officially creeping its way towards Pennsylvania Avenue?
Don't fall off your chair. We're talking subphoenas, not charges. The House Government Reform Committee, which is tasked with executive branch oversight, has suphoenaed Greenberg Traurig, Abramoff's former lobbying firm, for records between his lobbying crew and White House officials.
Chairman Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) authorized a subpoena weeks ago to Greenberg Traurig, according to several of the law firm's former clients who have been notified that it is turning over billing records, e-mails, phone logs and other material that reflects efforts to lobby the White House.
Representatives of four of Abramoff's former tribal clients said they have been notified by Greenberg Traurig that the firm is turning over records. In some cases, there were scores of phone calls or other contacts with the White House. It is not known whether any of those contacts resulted in improper aid to Abramoff. Several tribal representatives said they believe many contacts were with staff members at the White House office of intergovernmental affairs.
We're keeping our eyes and ears open for more information on this story. Thus far, the Abramoff scandal has focused on Congressional members and aides; despite some rumblings a while ago about meetings Abramoff may or may not have had with President Bush, there hasn't been much (or anything) in the way of official investigation into White House connections.
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