Spoke Too Soon

GimmeFive, as in five million? AP (06.22.05):

"Jack Abramoff and a lobbying partner used tax-exempt groups and phony invoices to bilk tribal clients out of millions of dollars, using a scheme they called 'gimme five' to divert proceeds to themselves and their pet causes, newly released documents show. At a hearing Wednesday on Abramoff's activities, Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman John McCain urged the Justice Department to take a close look at Abramoff's tribal billings and his movement of the money, suggesting the lobbyist may have committed mail and wire fraud." Lobbyist and Partner Bilked Tribes, New Documents Show

"'I'm just surprised I am not under 'dead, disgraced or in jail,' Abramoff joked to a colleague in an e-mail exchange about an alumni directory put together by his former employer, the Preston Gates lobbying firm." "Eventually, the Mississippi Choctaws' payments to [Abramoff's lobbying partner Michael] Scanlon's companies reached roughly $15 million, and Scanlon gave Abramoff a $5 million cut, McCain said." "One e-mail obtained by the Senate committee shows that Abramoff and Scanlon charged the Mississippi Choctaws $7.7 million for projects in 2001. Of that, Scanlon spent $1.2 million on lobbying work, and he and Abramoff split the remaining $6.5 million." "Abramoff spokesman Andrew Blum said the fees Abramoff earned were justified when compared with the economic benefits the tribes incurred as a result of his efforts." Justified? Ha, ha. Pretty funny!!