Washington D.C. Lobbying Scandal

In 2007 and 2008, charges were filed against several well-connected Washington D.C. lobbyists, including counts of conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion, most of them related to work performed for Native American-owned casinos. In the center of the scandal was former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his colleagues. While in prison on other fraud charges, Abramoff was sentenced to prison for the lobbying activities on September 4, 2008.The New York Times: Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison (September 4, 2008) In January 2007, former Ohio Republican congressman Robert W. Ney was sentenced to 30 months in prison for receiving gifts in exchange for deals with Abramoff.WashingtonPost.com: "Ney Sentenced to 30 Months In Prison for Abramoff Deals" (January 20, 2007)
Fast Facts:
1. Abramoff and his colleagues overbilled Indian tribes for lobbying services and used the surplus to bribe Congress membersThe New York Times: Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison (September 4, 2008)
2. Abramoff sentenced to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion in January 2006 in another case involving the purchase of a casino boat line in FloridaThe New York Times: Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison (September 4, 2008)
3. Sentenced to four years in prison on charges related to the Washington lobbying scandal on September 4, 2008 and will serve the two sentences concurrentlyThe New York Times: Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison (September 4, 2008)
4. A former congressman, Robert M. Ney, and several legislative and public officials were convicted as a result of Abramoff's cooperation with investigatorsThe New York Times: Abramoff Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison (September 4, 2008)
Parties Involved:
1. Lobbiysts: Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist, Michael Scanlon
2. Tribes: Choctaw, Cherokee, Pueblo
3. Representatives: Bob Ney, Tom DeLay, John Doolittle
4. Others: Office of Management and Budget employee David Safavian, Ney Chiefs of Staff William Heaton and Neil Volz, Dept. of Interior Deputy Secretary Steven Griles
Political Impact

A number of charges not directly relating to Indian gaming have been leveled against the lobbyists and aides to Jack Abramoff, a group widely known as "Team Abramoff." Several Representatives and Senators, a group composed mainly of Republicans but including some Democrats, have been implicated for violating rules about accepting gifts from lobbying firms, including free meals, lavish trips and personal campaign contributions. Several Representatives who received money from Abramoff returned it after these charges became publicized, including Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan. Representative Bob Ney of Ohio pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements in connection with his role in the scandal.