THE Washington lobbyist scandal that drove a Republican U.S. House member out of office two years ago hit much closer to home this week when a former top aide to former U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook pleaded guilty in federal court.
John C. Albaugh admitted to a conspiracy charge as part of the government's investigation into former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. For eight years, Albaugh served as Istook's chief of staff and was a top aide on the powerful House Appropriations subcommittee that his boss chaired.
Albaugh said he helped get federal funding for lobbyists' road projects in exchange for meals and tickets to concerts and sporting events provided by Abramoff's firm and a lobbyist at the firm. The government said the gifts' value exceeded the amount a congressional staff member could accept, and that Albaugh broke House rules by not reporting them.
The Justice Department says Istook sought road project requests from Abramoff in 2003 while thanking him for the use of Abramoff's stadium suite for a fundraiser. The feds don't say whether Istook made sure any of those projects made it into legislation. The former lawmaker, who served District 5 for 14 years, said he has met with the FBI but isn't a target of the investigation, and that he was as surprised as anyone by Albaugh's admission.
http://newsok.com/beltway-business-former-aides-corruption-plea-disturbing/article/3253594/?tm=1212721356
No comments:
Post a Comment