Balanced News Blog

You ask why the title? Today, lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a key figure in investigations involving House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, was indicted by a federal grand jury on fraud charges arising from a 2000 deal to buy casino boats. An arrest warrant has been issued
and FBI agents plan to arrest him in the Baltimore area.

I should mention that DeLay is not mentioned in any of these indictments but DeLay has asked the House Ethics Committee to review allegations that Abramoff or his clients paid some of DeLay’s overseas travel expenses. DeLay has denied knowing that the expenses were paid by Abramoff, whom he once described as “one of my closest and dearest friends.” Wow, that last quote, I’m just wondering what words he uses now to describe Abramoff given the political hot water that just seems to be getting hotter.

Critics have been calling for closer scrutiny of some of DeLay’s overseas travel, including trips that included Abramoff, and other ties to Abramoff. One of those trips included South Korea in 2001, but officials have said he did not realize the organization that paid for the journey had registered as a foreign agent two days before the traveling party left the United States.

DeLay has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and said he wants to appear before the House ethics committee to clear himself.

Crossposted at The English Guy.

Source: MSNBC.