Jack Abramoff

Jack Abramoff
Born	(1959-02-28) February 28, 1959 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Lobbyist, entrepreneur, film producer, author
Known for	Jack Abramoff Native American lobbying scandal

Jack Allan Abramoff (; born February 28, 1959) is an American figure known for his roles as a lobbyist, entrepreneur, film producer, author, and convicted felon. He played a pivotal role in a significant federal corruption probe that led to his own conviction as well as the guilty pleas or convictions of 21 other individuals, including White House staffers, a member of Congress, and numerous lobbyists and aides.

From 1981 to 1985, Abramoff held the position of national chairman of the College Republican National Committee and was among the founders of the International Freedom Foundation, an organization reportedly financed by apartheid South Africa. Additionally, he was a board member of the conservative policy institute National Center for Public Policy Research. Between 1994 and 2001, he was a prominent lobbyist first at Preston Gates & Ellis and later at Greenberg Traurig until March 2004.

After pleading guilty in January 2006 to charges connected to the Jack Abramoff Native American lobbying scandal and transactions involving SunCruz Casinos, Abramoff received a six-year federal prison sentence for mail fraud, conspiracy to bribe government officials, and tax evasion. He served 43 months before being released on December 3, 2010. Subsequently, he published his memoir Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist in November 2011.

Abramoff’s lobbying controversies have been portrayed in two films: Casino Jack and the United States of Money (2010) and Casino Jack (2010), with Kevin Spacey portraying him.

Early life and education

Born on February 28, 1959, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Abramoff is the son of Jane (née Divac) and Franklin Abramoff, who served as president of the franchises division at Diners Club International. He is of Jewish heritage.

In 1969, his family relocated to Beverly Hills, California. At twelve years old, after viewing the movie adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, Abramoff began practicing Orthodox Judaism.

He attended Beverly Hills High School, where he distinguished himself in football and weightlifting. In 2007, food critic Jonathan Gold, a former classmate, recalled an episode in which Abramoff pushed him down a flight of stairs; this incident was noted under "Jack Abramoff the bully."

Abramoff pursued higher education at Brandeis University, where he was elected treasurer of the Brandeis College Republicans. In April 1980, he assumed leadership as chairman of the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans and actively supported Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential bid. He credited the College Republicans with helping Reagan narrowly win Massachusetts by mobilizing thousands of votes despite limited campaign expenditures.

He graduated from Brandeis in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986.

Biographer Nina Easton notes that Abramoff’s standing within conservative circles was strengthened by his father’s influential connections, particularly with Alfred S. Bloomingdale, a close confidant of President Reagan.

College Republican National Chairman

Following his graduation from Brandeis, Abramoff sought election as chairman of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). His campaign was managed by Grover Norquist and involved expenditures exceeding $11,000. He secured victory after his primary rival Amy Moritz (later Amy Ridenour) withdrew from the race. Ridenour later became a founding director of the National Center for Public Policy Research and received multiple trips funded by Abramoff during his lobbying career. Under Abramoff’s leadership, the CRNC adopted a more activist and conservative stance. In the organization’s 1983 annual report, he declared: "Our job is to remove [the Left] from power permanently."

During this period, Norquist served as CRNC executive director under Abramoff. Abramoff also brought on Ralph Reed—then president of the University of Georgia College Republicans chapter—as an unpaid intern. Reed later introduced Abramoff to Pamela Clarke Alexander, whom he eventually married.

In August 1984, while serving as CRNC chairman, Abramoff delivered a speech at the 1984 Republican National Convention held in Dallas that nominated Reagan for a second term.

Enduring university political connections

While at the CRNC, Abramoff cultivated political ties with College Republican chapter leaders across the country, many of whom eventually assumed influential positions in politics and business, with some later engaging with him professionally as a lobbyist. Numerous such associations became pivotal elements in the federal inquiry.

The trio of Abramoff, Norquist, and Reed, known as the "Abramoff-Norquist-Reed triumvirate," forcefully tightened their grip on the organization by removing opponents and revising CRNC regulations. Reed functioned as the "enforcer," carrying out their plans with uncompromising determination.

In 1983, the CRNC publicly denounced "deliberate misinformation propagated by the KGB and Soviet-aligned entities" targeting South Africa, which faced widespread condemnation for its apartheid policies.

By 1984, Abramoff and associates established USA Foundation, a nonpartisan tax-exempt organization that coordinated campus demonstrations commemorating the first anniversary of the United States invasion of Grenada. Abramoff underscored its significance to College Republicans by contrasting Carter/Mondale’s Iran approach with Reagan’s triumph in Grenada ahead of the presidential election.

Citizens for America

In 1985, Abramoff became involved with Citizens for America, a pro-Reagan organization backing Oliver North in rallying support for the Contras fighting in Nicaragua. The group organized the Democratic International conference held in Jamba, Angola, bringing together anti-Communist insurgent leaders from Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, and Laos. Abramoff played a role in organizing and participating in this largely symbolic gathering that contributed to creating the International Freedom Foundation.

Abramoff departed Citizens for America following criticism from its principal backer, Lewis Lehrman, over his imprudent financial management.

In 1986, President Reagan appointed Abramoff to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Film production

Abramoff dedicated ten years to working in Hollywood alongside his brother Robert, during which they developed, scripted, and produced the 1989 motion picture Red Scorpion. The film’s budget escalated from $8 million to $16 million and featured Dolph Lundgren portraying a Soviet Spetsnaz operative dispatched to eliminate an African revolutionary in a setting reminiscent of Angola. The lead character ultimately defects to join freedom fighters. Abramoff also took on executive producer duties for its sequel, Red Scorpion 2 (1994).

Funding for the movie came from the Government of South Africa via the International Freedom Foundation, chaired by Abramoff, with an objective to weaken support for the African National Congress. Filming occurred in South West Africa, currently known as Namibia.

In 1998, Abramoff responded to allegations accusing him of serving as a public relations instrument for South Africa’s apartheid-era Defense Force by asserting that the IFF was staunchly anti-Communist and actively opposed apartheid policies. He noted that it advocated for Nelson Mandela’s release and accepted financial backing exclusively from private donors and corporations.

During this timeframe, Abramoff encountered South African-born rabbis David and Daniel Lapin. Daniel Lapin reportedly introduced him to U.S. Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX) shortly after Republicans seized control of Congress in 1994; however, Lapin later stated he did not recall making this introduction.

Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds

In December 1994, Abramoff joined Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP, the lobbying division of the Seattle-based law firm Preston Gates & Ellis LLP. After Republicans gained control of Congress in 1995, partner Emanuel Rouvelas observed the firm's need for a conservative Republican with strong Christian Coalition ties connected to the new leadership. Although the firm traditionally leaned Democratic, they brought Abramoff on board to develop these relationships and grow their federal lobbying efforts. He was recognized for his close associations with former Republican House leaders Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey.

By February 2006, The Seattle Times revealed that Abramoff leveraged his position at Preston Gates & Ellis to gain access to more prominent clients.

Choctaw gambling

Starting in 1995, Abramoff represented Native American tribes involved in gambling ventures, most notably the federally recognized Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. One of his initial achievements was blocking a Congressional proposal introduced by Bill Archer (R-TX) and Ernest Istook (R-OK) that aimed to impose taxes on Native American casinos. The lobbying publication Washington Business Forward credited Tom DeLay with playing a pivotal role in these successes, reinforcing the alliance between him and Abramoff; DeLay referred to Abramoff as "one of (his) closest and dearest friends."

On December 29, 2005, The Washington Post reported that Abramoff often cited lines from The Godfather during his lobbying campaigns, emulating Michael Corleone's confrontation with a corrupt Senator: "Senator, you can have my answer now if you like. My offer is this: nothing."

Political analyst Thomas Frank labeled Abramoff a con artist. Documentarian Alex Gibney, who directed the 2010 film Casino Jack and the United States of Money, emphasized Abramoff's talent for telling audiences what they wished to hear in order to secure deals that eventually resulted in scandal. Frank, alongside former U.S. Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) and ex-lobbyist Neil Volz, discussed Abramoff’s methods on NPR’s Kojo Nnamdi Show.

Saipan and Northern Mariana Islands

Between 1995 and 2001, Abramoff and his firm collected no less than $6.7 million from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The CNMI produced goods labeled as "Made in the USA" but operated outside U.S. labor and minimum wage standards. After Abramoff sponsored trips for DeLay and his aides to the Marianas, they contributed to legislation that extended federal exemptions from immigration and labor law regulations to local businesses. Additionally, Abramoff secured a $1.2 million no-bid contract for "promoting ethics in government," awarded to David Lapin, brother of his associate Daniel Lapin.

Abramoff secretly funded visits for U.S. Representatives James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) to the Marianas. In 1999, Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) participated in an Abramoff-financed trip to the Marshall Islands, accompanied by Representatives John Doolittle (R-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), delegates from Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, along with eight staff members.

His lobbying team drafted remarks for U.S. Representative Ralph Hall (R-TX) intended to undermine testimony given by a teenage runaway sex worker describing abuses within the Marianas' garment sector. The Spring 2006 issue of Ms. magazine spotlighted Abramoff’s activities in the Marianas alongside exploitation concerns involving garment workers.

Abramoff arranged for Ralph Reed's marketing firm to engage Christian conservative voters and bribed Roger Stillwell, a senior official at the United States Department of the Interior responsible for certain Native American gaming regulations. In 2006, Stillwell pleaded guilty to accepting gifts from Abramoff, violating federal restrictions barring officials from receiving items from lobbyists.

Naftasib

The Russia-based energy firm Naftasib directed close to $3.4 million to Abramoff and DeLay advisor Ed Buckham from 1997 through 2005. Approximately $60,000 financed a 1997 visit to Russia involving DeLay, Buckham, and Abramoff. In 1998, $1 million was transferred to Buckham's organization, U.S. Family Network, aiming to "influence DeLay's 1998 vote on legislation permitting the International Monetary Fund to assist the struggling Russian economy." DeLay subsequently supported the bill. These funds were channeled via the Dutch firm Voor Huisen, the Bahamian company Chelsea Enterprises, and the London-based legal office James & Sarch Co.

During the 1997 trip, Naftasib officials Marina Nevskaya and Alexander Koulakovsky met with DeLay. Nevskaya was also linked to Abramoff's backing of an Israeli military academy, as indicated in an email addressed to Abramoff.

eLottery, Inc.

In 1999, eLottery engaged Abramoff to prevent the passage of the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, partly by recruiting Ralph Reed, Norquist, and former chief of staff to Tom DeLay, Tony Rudy.

Correspondence from 2000 reveals that Susan Ralston assisted Abramoff in channeling payments from eLottery to Lou Sheldon's Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) and Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), which ultimately benefited Reed's firm, Century Strategies.

Greenberg Traurig

Abramoff departed Preston Gates in January 2001 to join Greenberg Traurig’s government relations division based in Washington, D.C.. The firm promoted Abramoff as "actively engaged with Republican Party and conservative leadership" and recognized him as "a prominent fundraiser for the party and its congressional candidates." Upon joining Greenberg Traurig, Abramoff shifted up to $6 million in client accounts from his previous firm, including the Marianas Islands contract. He then formed a lobbying group called "Team Abramoff", bringing together numerous former Preston Gates staff and senior congressional aides.

Tribal lobbying

Following his move to Greenberg Traurig, Abramoff intensified his representation of Native American tribes. While at Preston Gates he served 51 clients with only four tribes among them; at Greenberg Traurig his portfolio included 24 clients with seven tribes represented.

Tyco International Ltd.

In December 2002, Timothy Flanigan, former White House counsel, became Tyco International’s general counsel for corporate and international matters and promptly hired Abramoff to lobby both Congress and the White House regarding Tyco’s Bermuda tax-exempt status. Flanigan testified that Abramoff "boasted" about his capacity to help Tyco evade tax obligations through his congressional contacts.

By August 2005, Tyco alleged that Abramoff received $1.7 million for orchestrating sham grassroots campaigns ("astroturfing") designed to oppose legislation targeting U.S. companies registered overseas for tax purposes. The services were reportedly never rendered, with most payments redirected to entities controlled by Abramoff.

International Governments

Abramoff's team acted on behalf of Malaysia, seeking to enhance its diplomatic and trade connections with the United States.

He also presented a strategy to Sudan's administration to address criticism from U.S. Christian organizations concerning Sudan's involvement in the Darfur crisis, offering to initiate a grassroots campaign aimed at improving Sudan’s reputation within the U.S.

Channel One News

From 1999 through 2003, Abramoff lobbied on behalf of the educational television news provider Channel One News, working to prevent Congress from cutting its funding. Despite political attempts to reduce Channel One's presence in schools, it depended heavily on advertising income from U.S. government entities such as the Office of National Drug Control Policy and military recruitment efforts. After Abramoff left, Channel One experienced a notable drop in advertising revenue, although a direct causal connection was not established.

Telecommunications Company

In 2002, Bob Ney, chair of the House Administration Committee, authorized a license for Foxcom Wireless, an Israel-based telecom startup, permitting installation of antennas within the House of Representatives. The firm later relocated its headquarters to Vienna, Virginia, and rebranded as MobileAccess Networks. It paid Abramoff $280,000 for lobbying services and contributed $50,000 to the Capital Athletic Foundation—a charity Abramoff utilized to discreetly finance lobbying operations. These transactions were identified as acts of public corruption in Michael Scanlon's plea deal.

Luxury Suites, "Signatures," and Scotland

Abramoff invested more than $1 million in four premium skyboxes at prominent sports venues, using them for political entertaining and fundraising events, including those for politicians who publicly opposed gambling such as U.S. Representative John Doolittle (R-CA).

In 2001, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus (R-MT) returned $18,892 in donations connected to Abramoff, including unreported use of Abramoff’s skybox earlier that year.

Abramoff co-owned Signatures, an upscale restaurant in Washington, D.C., which served as a venue to reward allies. Lobbyist Kevin A. Ring provided Department of Justice official Robert E. Coughlin with complimentary skybox access and visits to Signatures in exchange for favors. The restaurant eventually closed amid investigations related to Abramoff.

Between 2000 and 2003, politicians such as DeLay, Ney, and Tom Feeney (R-FL) took part in golf trips to Scotland organized or financed by Abramoff. Ney and Feeney asserted that their trips were sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research; however, the organization denied any involvement. Ney later admitted guilt in knowingly accepting Abramoff-funded travel.

David H. Safavian, then chief of staff at the General Services Administration under the Bush administration, was convicted of making false statements and obstruction connected to the Abramoff investigation after participating in a golf trip with Abramoff associates. He faced accusations of withholding information about Abramoff's GSA-related business plans and attempts to acquire property for his private religious school affiliated with tribal clients. This conviction was subsequently overturned on appeal.

Bush administration access

During the Bush administration, Abramoff emerged as a notably powerful lobbyist. In 2001, he participated on the administration's Transition Advisory Team for the Department of the Interior, where he established a connection with Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles.

A draft report from the House Government Reform Committee uncovered 485 instances of lobbying interactions between Abramoff and White House personnel over a span of three years, including ten exchanges with senior advisor Karl Rove. These interactions consisted of 345 face-to-face meetings, 71 telephone conversations, and 69 email correspondences.

Within the initial ten months of 2001, Abramoff’s team recorded close to 200 engagements with the Bush administration, which were likely utilized to advocate for Indian tribes on gaming-related matters. Since the Department of the Interior oversees tribal affairs, including gaming, six tribes collectively paid Abramoff more than $80 million in lobbying fees from 2000 to 2003.

The Office of Insular Affairs within the Department of the Interior, responsible for U.S. territories such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), may have facilitated Abramoff’s lobbying efforts on behalf of textile industry interests. Senators Conrad Burns (R-MT) and DeLay were also active in opposing minimum wage hikes in the CNMI.

In 2003, Abramoff pursued $9 million from Omar Bongo, president of Gabon, aiming to secure a meeting with Bush and channeling payments through his firm GrassRoots Interactive. Although Bongo met with Bush in May 2004, no verifiable proof linked Abramoff to arranging or receiving payment for this meeting. Officials from both the White House and State Department described it as a standard engagement.

Susan Ralston, an aide to Karl Rove, had previously been employed by Abramoff and Reed.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad alleged that Abramoff received $1.2 million to facilitate a Bush meeting, purportedly at the Heritage Foundation’s request; however, Mahathir indicated that an unidentified party funded the payment.

On May 9, 2001, Kickapoo tribe Chief Raul Garza attended a meeting with Bush alongside Abramoff and Norquist. Just days earlier, under Abramoff’s direction, the tribe contributed $25,000 to Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). On that same day, leaders from the Louisiana Coushatta tribe participated in an ATR-hosted event featuring Bush after making comparable donations. ATR acknowledged receipt of the Kickapoo donation in correspondence; nonetheless, Abramoff failed to reveal that such payments were prerequisites for access, and the White House denied any awareness of this arrangement.

Photographs showing Abramoff with Bush at White House gatherings in late 2002 appeared online but were promptly removed from a government events photo archive owned by a prominent Bush campaign donor.

In March 2006, Abramoff told Vanity Fair that President Bush and other Washington officials were well acquainted with him and accused them of dishonesty when they denied having contact.

Between 2006 and 2008, during his imprisonment, Abramoff gave exclusive interviews to former journalist Gary S. Chafetz. Chafetz’s book The Perfect Villain: John McCain and the Demonization of Lobbyist Jack Abramoff contended that although Abramoff was culpable on certain counts, he was also subjected to exaggerated media coverage, political retribution—particularly from Senator John McCain—and aggressive Department of Justice prosecution involving contentious honest services fraud charges.

Abramoff-affiliated organizations

Jack Abramoff established or oversaw multiple non-profit groups such as the Capital Athletic Foundation and Eshkol Academy, alongside lobbying firms and policy institutes including the American International Center, GrassRoots Interactive, and the National Center for Public Policy Research. Although some of these organizations conducted legitimate activities, Abramoff exploited them to channel millions of dollars to unrelated parties.

Capital Athletic Foundation and Eshkol Academy

Despite Indian tribes contributing more than $6 million to the Capital Athletic Foundation, less than one percent was allocated to its declared athletic initiatives. The majority of these funds were directed toward Eshkol Academy, an Orthodox Jewish educational institution Abramoff founded in Maryland in 2002. Additionally, CAF financed golf outings for Abramoff and his associates and purchased camping equipment for a personal acquaintance. Abramoff also involved Safavian in pursuing property acquisitions for both Eshkol Academy and tribal clients, which played a role in Safavian’s subsequent conviction.

GrassRoots Interactive and Kay Gold

GrassRoots Interactive, a now-defunct lobbying company based in Silver Spring, Maryland and controlled by Abramoff along with PJ Johnson, received millions in 2003. At least $2.3 million was transferred to a California consultancy that shared its address with the law office of Abramoff’s brother. Another $400,000 was paid to Kay Gold LLC, a business owned by Abramoff’s family.

Maldon Institute

Between 1999 and 2003, Abramoff held positions as board member, secretary, and treasurer of the Maldon Institute. He served on the four-member board alongside John Rees and PJ Johnson.

Investigations and scandal

In late 2004, the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee initiated an inquiry into Abramoff’s lobbying activities involving American Indian tribes and casinos. When called to testify in September, he invoked the Fifth Amendment to decline answering questions.

Fraud conviction related to SunCruz Casinos

On August 11, 2005, a federal grand jury in Fort Lauderdale, Florida indicted Abramoff and Adam Kidan on fraud charges connected to their 2000 acquisition of SunCruz Casinos from Gus Boulis. They allegedly used a fraudulent wire transfer to deceive lenders into believing they had made a $23 million down payment securing a $60 million loan. Ney was also implicated in facilitating this transaction.

Following their purchase of SunCruz in September 2000, conflicts with Boulis intensified, culminating in a physical altercation between Kidan and Boulis in December 2000. Boulis was subsequently killed in February 2001 in an attack resembling Mafia-style violence. The investigation uncovered three individuals who received payments from Kidan; two were sentenced to life imprisonment while the third pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and served six and a half years after cooperating with prosecutors.

On January 4, 2006, Abramoff entered a guilty plea for conspiracy and wire fraud related to the SunCruz deal. His plea agreement carried a maximum prison term exceeding seven years, to be served concurrently with his sentence from the Washington, D.C. corruption case, with potential reductions for full cooperation. Four additional charges were dismissed.

On March 29, 2006, both Abramoff and Kidan received sentences of 70 months—the minimum allowed—and were ordered to pay restitution totaling US$21.7 million. U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck, who presided over the sentencing, acknowledged receiving more than 260 letters requesting leniency from various individuals including "rabbis, military officers and even a professional hockey referee."

Investigation by Guam grand jury

In 2002, the Superior Court of Guam secretly engaged Abramoff to lobby against legislation that aimed to shift authority to the Guam Supreme Court. That November, a grand jury issued subpoenas for court documents; however, following the unexpected dismissal of U.S. Attorney Frederick A. Black, the probe was swiftly terminated. The investigation was revived in 2005 by Public Auditor Doris Flores Brooks.

By 2006, attorney Howard Hills and former Guam Superior Court administrator Tony Sanchez faced indictments for illegal influence and conspiracy connected to payments routed to Abramoff under a contract. Hills, who never received payment and reported suspicious conduct, ceased his involvement prior to charges being filed. Subsequent superseding indictments were issued in 2007, with Abramoff and his firm Greenberg Traurig facing related allegations in 2008; charges against Hills and Greenberg Traurig were eventually dropped.

Grand jury probes involving Native American tribes

Abramoff and his associate Michael Scanlon defrauded Native American casino clients out of roughly $85 million in fees, occasionally lobbying against their own clients to secure higher payments. These actions prompted criminal indictments and Senate investigations. Scanlon admitted guilt in 2005 to conspiracy involving bribery.

On January 3, 2006, Abramoff entered guilty pleas for conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion primarily related to lobbying efforts for four tribes: Michigan's Saginaw Chippewas, California's Agua Caliente, Mississippi's Choctaws, and Louisiana's Coushattas. He consented to repay at least $25 million stolen from clients and owed $1.7 million in unpaid taxes. Abramoff acknowledged bribing officials such as Congressman Ney and employing congressional staffers to lobby former employers in violation of federal regulations.

Later in 2006, lobbyists Neil Volz and Tony Rudy pleaded guilty; Congressman Ney also admitted guilt on charges of conspiracy and making false statements. On September 4, 2008, Abramoff was convicted of trading gifts for political favors and sentenced to four years in prison concurrently with previous sentences. He cooperated extensively with ongoing probes into legislators and administration personnel.

Individuals convicted in Abramoff-related cases

A total of 24 persons were convicted on corruption or bribery charges connected to the Abramoff scandal.

• Adam Kidan, an associate of Abramoff, received a sentence in Florida in March 2006 that included 27 months imprisonment followed by three years probation.
• Todd Boulanger, a deputy under Abramoff, pleaded guilty to supplying congressional staffers with meals, gifts, and event tickets in return for legislative favors; he was sentenced to 30 days in jail plus a fine.
• Roger Stillwell (R), staff member at the Department of the Interior during George W. Bush’s administration, pleaded guilty and was given two years probation for failing to disclose tickets received from Abramoff.
• Steven Griles (R), former U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior and highest-ranking official convicted in the scandal, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for lying about his association with Abramoff.
• David Safavian (R), ex-White House procurement official, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for concealing interactions with Abramoff.
• Bob Ney (R-OH), U.S. Representative who pled guilty in 2006 and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for accepting bribes from Abramoff; he participated in an Abramoff-organized golf trip to Scotland pivotal to the case.
  • Neil Volz (R), Ney’s former chief of staff who later joined Abramoff’s team, pled guilty to conspiring to corrupt Ney and others.
  • William Heaton (R), another former chief of staff for Ney, admitted guilt on conspiracy charges involving golf trips, meals, and event tickets as forms of bribery.
  • Thomas Hart (R), also a former chief of staff for Ney, pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to similar payoffs.
• Italia Federici (R), co-founder of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, pled guilty to tax evasion and obstructing Senate investigations.
• Jared Carpenter (R), vice president of the same council, pleaded guilty to income tax evasion; sentenced to 45 days incarceration plus probation.
• Mark Zachares (R), aide to Rep. Don Young (R-AL), admitted guilt on conspiracy after accepting gifts and a golf trip from Abramoff’s associates in exchange for official acts.
• Kevin A. Ring (R), former staffer for Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), was convicted on five corruption counts and sentenced to 20 months imprisonment.
• James Hirni (R), Senate aide who confessed to bribing another aide with meals and event tickets; pled guilty to defrauding taxpayers.
• Trevor L. Blackann (R), former aide to Senator Kit Bond and Rep. Roy Blunt, admitted guilt for failing to disclose $4,100 worth of gifts from lobbyists tied to Abramoff clients.
  • Michael Scanlon (R), ex-staffer for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, pled guilty on bribery charges linked to his work with Abramoff.
  • Tony Rudy (R), also a DeLay aide, pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
• John Albaugh (R), former chief of staff for Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK), admitted guilt for accepting bribes connected with the Federal Highway Bill.
• Robert E. Coughlin (R), deputy chief of staff at the Justice Department’s criminal division, pled guilty due to conflict of interest after receiving bribes from Abramoff.
• Horace Cooper (R), former Labor Department official and aide to Rep. Dick Armey, pleaded guilty for falsifying records by omitting gifts from Abramoff.
• Ann Copland (R), ex-aide to Senator Thad Cochran, admitted guilt after accepting over $25,000 worth of tickets in exchange for assistance benefiting Abramoff.
• Fraser Verrusio (R), former official at the Department of Transportation found guilty of conspiracy and accepting bribes; sentenced to one day incarceration, two years probation, and fined.

Incarceration

Abramoff commenced his six-year prison term on November 15, 2005, at the Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland, a minimum-security facility located in Allegany County, Maryland. He was assigned the inmate number 27593-112. The U.S. Department of Justice specifically requested this institution to ensure his availability as investigations into his network of associates expanded.

During his incarceration, Abramoff was employed as a clerk within the prison chaplain’s office, earning twelve cents per hour. Additionally, he conducted classes in public speaking and screenwriting for fellow inmates and organized a well-attended weekly movie night. After serving four years of his sentence at this facility, he was transitioned to a halfway house.

On January 16, 2006, Time magazine placed Abramoff on its cover under the headline "The Man Who Bought Washington," emphasizing both his role in influence peddling and his willingness to reveal systemic corruption.

Post-release activities

Abramoff completed his federal prison sentence and was released on June 8, 2010, subsequently moving to a halfway house in Baltimore, Maryland. During late June of that year, he took up employment as an accountant at the kosher eatery Tov Pizza, working approximately 40 hours per week for wages ranging between $7.50 and $10.00 per hour. He resigned from this position upon leaving the halfway house in December 2010.

Following the conclusion of his sentence, Abramoff re-entered the lobbying profession by re-registering as a federal lobbyist in 2017. During this period, he sought to facilitate meetings between then President-elect Donald Trump and various international leaders.

On June 25, 2020, Abramoff and CEO Roland Marcus Andrade faced charges in federal court in San Francisco related to fraudulent activities connected to a $5 million cryptocurrency transaction. On July 14, 2020, Abramoff admitted guilt to conspiracy and violations of the Lobbying Disclosure Act concerning AML BitCoin. Each count carried a potential sentence of up to five years imprisonment. His conviction marked the first under the amended Lobbying Disclosure Act that was revised following his earlier offenses.

Criticism of lobbying industry

In November 2011, Abramoff released a detailed memoir titled Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist, spanning 300 pages. The concluding chapter, "Path to Reform," calls for substantial changes including lifetime prohibitions preventing members of Congress and their staff from becoming lobbyists.

Since then, Abramoff has become an outspoken critic of the lobbying sector, frequently appearing on radio and television platforms advocating for reform measures. He created a Facebook page, developed an app game named "Congressional Jack," and is involved in producing a feature film centered on lobbying practices. He charges fees for speaking engagements focused on corruption in Washington and has provided briefings to FBI personnel. Abramoff also joined the anti-corruption organization United Republic and serves as a principal blogger for its "Republic Report," which examines the influence of money on democratic institutions.

He has appeared on CNN discussing topics such as lobbying and the Affordable Care Act. In July 2012, Premier Networks launched "The Jack Abramoff Show" on XM Satellite Radio’s Talk Radio channel where he addresses political reform issues.

After Abramoff resumed lobbying activities post-incarceration, legislators enacted the Justice Against Corruption on K Street (JACK) Act. This law mandates that individuals with criminal convictions disclose their history when re-registering as lobbyists. In June 2020, Abramoff pled guilty to charges involving conspiracy and violations of the JACK Act.

Personal life

Abramoff is wed to Pamela Clarke Abramoff (born Alexander), who has held the roles of co-manager and executive assistant at the Capital Athletic Foundation since 1986. Together, they are parents to five children. Pamela embraced Orthodox Judaism through conversion.

See also

• List of federal political scandals in the United States

External links

• Official website
• Contributions by Jack Abramoff at Republic Report