This Could Get Really Interesting!

Casino Jack, the Lord of K Street, has cut a deal in the Indian Gambling corruption, conspiracy and fraud case. He has yet to plead in the Florida SunCruz conspiracy and fraud case, though it seems imminent. And of course, the gangland style murder case is still out there hanging over his head.

The Information (PDF), as opposed to an indictment, is very informative as to transactions with Republican Representative Ney, I mean Representative #1, and several staffers. From the information it appears that Rep. #1 should be consulting with a very good criminal lawyer right about now. It also suggests that the staffers should be trying to make a deal and probably help the feds go up that ladder.

The WAPO has some choice bits:

The guilty plea by Abramoff provides a major boost to federal prosecutors in an influence-peddling investigation that could become one of the largest corruption scandals in recent memory, involving as many as a half dozen lawmakers, a former top official at the Department of Interior and former and current congressional aides.

Prosecutors are expected to seek information from Abramoff about official actions performed for his clients by the lawmakers, including DeLay, the former House majority leader, as well as by the former top Interior official, congressional aides and federal employees.

DeLay has taken three overseas trips with Abramoff since 1997 -- to the Mariana Islands, Moscow and the United Kingdom -- and received more than $70,000 from Abramoff, his associates and tribal clients for his campaign committees.

Investigating DeLay, who is facing separate campaign finance charges in Texas, could take up to a year and require the cooperation of other witnesses before issues surrounding the Texas Republican are resolved, according to people familiar with the case.

Prosecutors are expected to act more quickly in the case of Ney, who accepted campaign contributions, skybox fundraisers, drinks, dinners, gifts and a golfing trip to Scotland while allegedly performing official actions that benefited Abramoff and his clients.

Also of interest to prosecutors is former deputy Interior secretary J. Steven Griles, who received a job offer from the lobbyist in 2003 at a time when Abramoff was seeking department actions on behalf of his tribal clients.

Griles, who held the No. 2 job at Interior from 2001 to 2004, has said he never tried to intercede on behalf of Abramoff's clients, but e-mails released by a Senate committee show more than a half-dozen contacts Griles had with Abramoff or with a woman working as the lobbyist's go-between. The contacts concerned gambling-related issues affecting four tribal clients who were paying Abramoff tens of millions of dollars for representation.

Other lawmakers who had close dealings with Abramoff are Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) and other members of Congress involved with Indian affairs.

Prior to resolution of any issues involving DeLay, prosecutors are continuing to investigate two of DeLay's top former deputies, Edwin A. Buckham and Tony C. Rudy. Abramoff maintained a business relationship with Buckham, who runs the Alexander Strategy Group with Rudy.

So, yes this could get really interesting.

I only hope that Grover Norquist, K Street’s GURU, will not be missing from this show.

Yes, indeed, PASS THE POPCORN!

PS Jane Hamsher has some ominous thoughts on the AUSA in the case. Read it.

Oh, and I forgot, Happy New Year.