ABC News: Abramoff Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Fla.: "Abramoff Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Fla.Lobbyist Abramoff Completes Second Half of Guilty Plea in Gambling Boat Fraud Case
Jack Abramoff arrives at the federal justice building in Miami where he is expected to plead quilty to criminal charges stemming from the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006. Abramoff plead guilty in federal court Washington Tuesday to mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion charges. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
By CURT ANDERSON Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
MIAMI Jan 5, 2006 — With two sets of guilty pleas in as many days, once-powerful Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff now must cooperate with federal prosecutors in a broad Congressional corruption probe if he wants a lighter prison sentence.
Abramoff, 46, completed the second half of his plea deal Wednesday, admitting conspiracy and wire fraud connected to his purchase of a gambling boat fleet.
"Guilty, your honor," Abramoff, 46, somberly told U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck, dressed in a dark double-breasted suit and tan baseball cap. When the hearing was over, he swiftly and silently ducked out a side courthouse door, into a waiting car.
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The plea came a day after Abramoff entered guilty pleas to three other federal charges as part of an agreement with prosecutors requiring him to cooperate in a wide-ranging corruption probe that could involve up to 20 members of Congress and aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas.
President Bush joined several lawmakers, including DeLay and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, in announcing plans to donate Abramoff's campaign contributions to charity. Bush's re-election campaign is giving up $6,000 in campaign contributions connected to Abramoff.
The plea agreement calls for a maximum sentence of just more than seven years, but the sentence could be reduced if he cooperates fully. It would also run simultaneously with whatever sentence is imposed in the Washington corruption case, in which he pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud Tuesday.
Like a former business partner did last month, Abramoff pleaded guilty to concocting a false $23 million wire transfer that made it appear as if the pair contributed a sizable stake of their own cash into the $147.5 million purchase of SunCruz Casinos.
Abramoff's ex-partner in the SunCruz deal, 41-year-old Adam Kidan, pleaded guilty on Dec. 15 to two charges and faces sentencing on March 1. Both admitted using the fake wire transfer to secure $60 million in loans they used to buy SunCruz."
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