It Starts

Here we go. AP (08.29.05):

"Prominent GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded innocent Monday to a six-count federal fraud and conspiracy indictment stemming from his role in the 2000 purchase of the SunCruz Casinos fleet of gambling boats." Lobbyist Abramoff Pleads Innocent to Fraud

The Department of Duh is busy: "'Our defense is that he committed no fraud,' [Jack's lawyer Neal] Sonnett said after the hearing." Yes. Seeing as how Jack's been indicted for fraud, and he's pleaded not guilty, that kind of defense would make a helluva lot of sense. "Sonnett also said Fort Lauderdale police have requested an interview with Abramoff in the unsolved 2001 slaying of former SunCruz owner Konstantinos 'Gus' Boulis, whose death investigators say appeared to have been a planned, gangland-style hit." Jack's lawyer says Jack "'has no knowledge of the facts of the murder.'" Jack's free on bond. No trial date has been set. Yet.