Abramoff to plead guilty to fraud charges

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Abramoff to plead guilty to fraud charges

January 3, 2006 10:21:00 am

[JURIST] Indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff [JURIST news archive] has agreed to plead guilty to two of six fraud charges and to assist federal prosecutors with any ongoing investigations in exchange for a more favorable sentence, Abramoff's lawyers said Tuesday. Abramoff was indicted [JURIST report; DOJ press release] in August for allegedly faking a wire transfer that defrauded two lenders of $60 million during the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos [corporate website] by Abramoff and partners. Though he initially pleaded not guilty [JURIST report] to all charges, his value to federal prosecutors as a potential witness may have increased as the Department of Justice has uncovered more connections between Abramoff and prominent public officials [JURIST report] than expected. Former Abramoff partner Jack Scanlon pleaded guilty [JURIST report] last November to one count of bribing US Representative Rob Ney (R-OH) [official website], and was expected to testify against Abramoff. AP has more.

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