Jack Abramoff, a high-powered GOP lobbyist in Washington, DC, was the founder of a charity that was supposed to sponsor sports programs for youths in the District. Well, he did manage to buy two Zambonis (sans ice rink), but that appears to be the extent of his sports activity. Part of this story was featured on NPR's All Things Considered Monday.
http://www.npr.org/rundowns/rundown.php?prgDate=27-Sep-2004&prgId=2
Senate Panel to Query Lobbyists on Casino Ties
This shady dealing seems to be SOP with these slimy bastards. Campaign reform anyone?
By R. Jeffrey Smith
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 28, 2004; Page A01
The Capital Athletic Foundation's Web site portrays youths at play: shaking hands over a tennis net, learning how to hold a bat, straining for a jump ball. Its text solicits donations for what it describes as "needy and deserving" sportsmanship programs.
In its first four years of operation, the charity has collected nearly $6 million. A gala fundraiser last year at the International Spy Museum at one point attracted the Washington Redskins' owner as its chairman and was to honor the co-founder of America Online.
But tax and spending records of the Capital Athletic Foundation obtained by The Washington Post show that less than 1 percent of its revenue has been spent on sports-related programs for youths.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55283-2004Sep27.html
The Post also has an editorial on Abramoff:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55509-2004Sep27.html