| 'Crooked American gambling lobbyist sentenced to jail'
[I am wary of this article for two reasons: first, the author typoed the word "boast" when she meant "boats". If this was a personal message on a webboard, that would'nt be such a big deal; but as an author myself, I cringe when I see such things. And second, the bias in the article is rather striking. However, if true, it explains a lot of things about the House bill that I reposted here a couple days ago, so if for no other reason, it's worth a repost.]
[By the way, I have no love for Democrats or Republicans. I think they ALL should be lined up and summarily disposed of, post haste.]
-From pokerlistings.com
Crooked American gambling lobbyist sentenced to jail
11:32 AM, Tuesday, April 4, 2006
by Lianne Elias
Dirty Republican gambling lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, was sentenced to nearly six years in jail after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and fraud. Abramoff admitted to faking a $23 million wire transfer in order to obtain a loan to purchase a fleet of casino boast in Florida in 2000, and was ordered to pay $21.7 million in restitution.
The former lobbyist and fundraiser is also standing trial in a separate case on charges of tax evasion, defrauding clients (Native American tribes with casinos), and conspiracy to bribe public officials, and is reportedly testifying against up to 20 members of Congress with whom he had dealings.
His ability to implicate high ranking elected officials and lobbyists, largely from the Republican party, in related cases of corruption has sent waves of panic rippling through Washington, and is responsible for the current anti-Internet gambling crusade taking place on Capitol Hill.
Abramoff once served as an advisor to technology firm eLottery, and headed a successful campaign aimed at thwarting previous legislation introduced by anti-Internet gambling maverick Rep. Goodlatte to ban Internet gambling in the United States.
As Washington's elite seeks to distance itself from Abramoff and his disgraceful practices, his past support of Internet gambling has led the nation's leaders to rally behind newly introduced anti-Internet gambling measures in both houses of government.
Abramoff is accused of exploiting Native American tribal fees to the tune of millions of dollars in order to enrich himself and his friends, and of using the money to offer politicians in both houses of Congress lavish meals, tickets to major sporting events, and overseas golf trips.
For information on the recently proposed anti-Internet gambling bills, please see H.R. 4111 and Details Released On Goodlatte's New Bill.  | 
