January 9, 2006
WASHINGTON - A trip by congressional staffers to the 2001 Super Bowl in Tampa has emerged as a key part of the federal investigation into the scandal involving Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and members of the House and Senate.
Abramoff arranged for Capitol Hill staffers to fly to Tampa and attend the game as part of his lobbying efforts on behalf of Indian tribes and the SunCruz casino ships.
Court records indicate Abramoff offered to fly U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, and members of his staff to Tampa for the game. Ney and his aides did not take the trip, but at least three other congressional staffers did, including a senior aide to then-Majority Whip Tom DeLay.
When Abramoff last week pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion, the Tampa trip was cited in a section titled "Corruption of Public Officials." It said he and colleague Michael Scanlon offered "things of value" such as the Super Bowl trip to an unidentified member of Congress and his staff. Ney is not mentioned by name, but the details clearly indicate it is him.
The plea agreement, signed by Abramoff and federal prosecutors, says the Tampa trip was part of an elaborate quid pro quo . It says Abramoff, Scanlon and others "offered and provided a stream of things of value to public officials in exchange for a series of official acts and influence and agreements to provide official action and influence."
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/09/State/Lobbyist_case_has_Tam.shtml
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