Abramoff Guilty Plea Means Trouble For Congress

The anxiety level in Washington must be at an all-time high in the wake of lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s guilty pleas to federal charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud. The plea was part of an agreement that the renowned Republican lobbyist made to cooperate with the government in its massive investigation of influence peddling involving members of Congress.

The charges against Abramoff outline lavish gifts and contributions to an unnamed House member (identified in previous reports as Republican Congressman Bob Ney of Ohio) in return for an agreement to use his office to aid Abramoff clients. Ney’s attorney has already downplayed the plea, saying it offers “nothing new.”

But the agreement with the Justice Department will probably secure crucial testimony from Abramoff against several members of Congress who received favors from him or his clients.

The Richmond Democrat points out that, although mostly Republican member of Congress are implicated, a letter showing a direct link between Virginia Democrat Congressman Eric Cantor and Abramoff was recently made public.

Accuracy in the Media believes the mainstream media is purposely making the Abramoff affair into something that will threaten Republican control of the House in the 2006 elections and could initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bush.