UPDATE
MSNBC is reporting that ex-Bush aide David Safavian has been found guilty on various charges:
Safavian was charged with lying about his relationship with Abramoff and his knowledge of the lobbyist’s interest in acquiring properties from GSA, the property managing agency for the federal government. He was also charged with obstructing investigators looking into a golf trip he took with Abramoff in 2002.
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Roll Call is reporting that Abramoff may see a delayed sentence because he is still helping prosecuters in their investigation:
The Justice Department and attorneys for disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff have agreed to postpone for at least three months the day he has to report to federal prison -- the latest sign that Abramoff's continued cooperation with an ongoing corruption probe in Washington, D.C., is proving helpful to prosecutors.
This is an excellent sign that more heads could roll before this investigation is over.
And in case any of you missed this, McCain's investigation on behalf of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee should release a report on Thursday regarding the
Abramoff dealings:
It is unclear how far the panel's report will go in detailing the possible improprieties between Abramoff and current and former Bush administration officials in the Department of Interior, the subject of much testimony during the hearings.
But don't expect the report to finger any members of Congress who have had their own questionable dealings with Abramoff. McCain already has said his committee would not pursue that angle.
Still, the timing of the report's release is not the greatest for McCain's fellow Republicans, who would prefer that potential voters not be reminded of Abramoff with the fall elections just around the corner.
Congress already has been watching its poll numbers drop, and there is growing GOP concern over whether the party can maintain control of both the Senate and House.
Democrats also had questionable dealings with Abramoff. (...sigh...)
But it was mostly because of close ties to congressional Republicans that Abramoff and his public-relations partner, Michael Scanlon, managed to draw in as much as $82 million in fees in about three years from six tribes.
The problem was, only a fraction of that money was put to the uses intended by the tribes and much of the rest was pocketed.
McCain's committee hearings already have documented how the duo funneled some of that money to bogus charities, a training program for Israeli snipers, a Jewish boys school and pet GOP front organizations.
Although McCain's committee isn't expected to pinpoint wrongdoing by members of Congress, a separate inquiry is under way by a multi-agency federal task force and grand jury.
I don't think anyone expects McCain's report to have anything ground-shattering, but the more media coverage this gets the better.
Who wants to bet Bush makes a surprise trip somewhere Thursday morning?
Any thoughts on these new developments?
(Originally Posted at Deny My Freedom)