Lawyers Ask Judge to Postpone Abramoff Sentencing

From BLT:

Prosecutors and lawyers for Jack Abramoff are urging a federal judge to push back the disgraced lobbyist’s sentencing in light of his cooperation with investigators, according to documents filed today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In a joint motion, the parties said that the “government anticipates that Mr. Abramoff’s cooperation will continue for the foreseeable future” and asked Judge Ellen Huvelle to “again defer setting a date for the sentencing of Mr. Abramoff.” Huvelle was expected to set a sentencing date during a status hearing on Sept. 7. That hearing would be postponed for at least 90 days if Huvelle grants the motion.

A federal judge in Miami sentenced Abramoff to nearly six-years in prison in March 2006 on fraud charges related to his dealing with SunCruz Casinos (hence his sobriquet, “Casino Jack”). In Washington, he pleaded guilty to defrauding American Indian tribes and corrupting public officials. That case has snared half a dozen officials so far, including former Ohio Rep. Bob Ney, who serving a 30-month sentence for using his office to advantage Abramoff’s clients. Ney’s chief of staff, Will Heaton, was sentenced two weeks ago. Huvelle gave him two years probation, citing his extraordinary cooperation in the FBI’s investigation of Ney. He wore a wire during a meeting with Ney, recorded several of their phone conversations, and handed over travel disclosures to the FBI, according to court documents.