Don't forget about DeLay!
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 03:26:36 PM EST
Since the Abramoff scandal first broke, countless names have been mentioned in connection to the infamous lobbyist. With all the developments over the last couple of years, it's easy to forget the roots of the whole thing - one might argue, the ultimate face of the "culture of corruption."
I'm talking about Tom DeLay, of course. Now, despite being one of Abramoff's closest buddies on the Hill, "The Hammer" has not been charged with any specific Abramoff-related crime; he's under indictment on other corruption charges (he was a busy man). However, that may all change relatively soon.
From the Forth Worth Star-Telegram:
But prosecutors could decide within weeks whether to bring charges against Delay's former staff chief Edwin Buckham, according to sources close to the investigation who spoke on the condition that they not be identified. The decision should give a clear signal on whether DeLay remains in legal jeopardy, the sources said.
Yeah, Ed Buckham is pretty deep into a lot of this stuff. Frankly, it would be a bit of a shock if Buckham escaped from all this indictment-free.
Also from the Star-Telegram, some clear parallels between the Doolittle and DeLay cases:
The Zachares and Doolittle cases have no direct involvement with DeLay but they echo connections between DeLay and Abramoff, who is in prison after pleading guilty to corruption charges.
Like Zachares, DeLay took a golfing trip to Scotland. Although lobbyists cannot fund such trips, the 2000 excursion was indirectly funded by Indian gaming clients of Abramoff.
And like Doolittle's wife, DeLay's wife, Christine, received payments from lobbyists that are being scrutinized by investigators to determine whether they were part of an improper granting of favors.
Tags: Tom DeLay, Abramoff, John Doolittle, Mark Zachares, Ed Buckham (all tags)
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