Lobbyist admits bribery
The week's news at a glance.
Washington, D.C.
A Washington lobbyist with close ties to the Republican leadership pleaded guilty this week to conspiring to bribe members of Congress with gifts, including trips to Europe and the Super Bowl. The lobbyist, Michael Scanlon, was expected to cooperate in an investigation of his powerful former partner, Jack Abramoff. One lawmaker who has been identified as having received gifts from Scanlon and Abramoff, Ohio Republican Rep. Robert Ney, said he never traded favors for gifts, and was “duped” by the lobbyists. The Justice Department began investigating Abramoff after discovering evidence of a scheme to squeeze millions of dollars out of Indian casinos by jacking up lobbying fees. Scanlon’s plea deal sent a wave of worry through Republican ranks on Capitol Hill, where Scanlon and Abramoff have many friends. Scanlon used to work as a spokesman for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, now under indictment in an unrelated matter.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 20, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - flags flipped, Diddy dunked, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Diddy admits to beating girlfriend after video
Speed Read Though he previously denied allegations of abuse, Combs apologized for abusing Cassie Ventura following the release of new CCTV footage
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden delivers Morehouse graduation speech
Speed Read It was the president's first time addressing a college campus since the breakout of Gaza war protests
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published