"Let's make a Deal!" Scanlon, you do NOT get the "Go to Jail Card", Part II - DO NOT PASS GO, Mr Ney, Mr DeLay, Mr A.-----

.
Mike's Crooks & Liars, #22222222222
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Tom DeLay's Hot Tub Party Continues
Reddhedd says Michael Scanlon has cut a deal with the Justice Department: "Who is Michael Scanlon? He was Jack Abramoff's business partner from 2000 to 2004, and prior to joining Abramoff, he was Tom Delay's spokesperson when Delay was the Majority Whip in the House."
Beltway sphincters all a-pucker this weekend no doubt as the financing arm of the GOP machine gets set to topple. More mug shot mania to come.
(posted by Jane at firedoglake)
graphic by Monk at Inflatable Dartboard

====================================

Abramoff Partner Charged With Conspiracy
By PETE YOST Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A partner of lobbyist Jack Abramoff is charged with conspiring to defraud American Indian tribes of millions of dollars in a scheme that lavished trips, sports tickets and campaign donations on a member of Congress.

Michael Scanlon, a one-time aide to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, will appear in federal court Monday on a single count contained in a criminal information. That typically is a prelude to a guilty plea and cooperation with government investigators.

The eight-page information, released Friday, said Scanlon and a person identified only as "Lobbyist A" provided "a stream of things of value" to a member of Congress, identified only as "Representative No. 1," to aid an effort to pass legislation.

It has been a matter of public record for more than a year that Scanlon and Abramoff had a fee-splitting arrangement and represented several American Indian tribes.

Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, was identified by his lawyer, Mark Tuohey late Friday as Representative No. 1.

"I've talked to the Department of Justice on this and he's not part of this conspiracy," Tuohey said. "Yes, he did perform certain acts - his office did - and there was certain other wining and dining situations like other people do, but he's the victim. He was misled."

Ney's name surfaced almost a year ago in a Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation as having extensive dealings with the two lobbyists and their tribal clients. Abramoff and Scanlon were paid more than $80 million between 2001 and 2004 by six American Indian tribes with casinos.

"One thing I have learned here from our grandparents and our elders is patience," said Carlos Hisa of the Texas Tigua tribe that hired Abramoff. "You just sit down and wait. Give them a little bit more rope, as they say, and they will hang themselves."

Ney early this month started a legal defense fund. He has denied any wrongdoing and says he was duped into backing Abramoff's clients.

Abramoff's lobbying network stretched far and wide in the halls of Congress. The Associated Press reported Thursday that nearly three dozen lawmakers pressed to block an American Indian casino in Louisiana while collecting large donations from the lobbyist and his tribal clients.

DeLay, R-Texas, is among those facing scrutiny for his associations with Abramoff, including a trip to Scotland and use of Abramoff's skybox at a Washington sports arena. DeLay relinquished his leadership post after his indictment on state felony charges in Texas.

© 2005 The Associated Press.

###