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.
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.
-
October 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being releasedThe Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
