 |
 |
WASHINGTON - Jack Abramoff has lawmakers worried all over Capitol Hill, and they want nothing to do with him. They may not have any choice. Sen. Sam Brownback received $44,500 in campaign contributions linked to the disgraced Washington lobbyist, according to federal records. Abramoff this week pleaded guilty in two federal fraud cases, one of which involved conspiracy to bribe members of Congress. Brownback is among the top dozen recipients of donations from Abramoff, his partners and the tribes he represented. On Thursday, Brownback's chief spokesman said Brownback is giving the money to American Indian charities. Among Kansas lawmakers, Reps. Todd Tiahrt and Jim Ryun have smaller connections to Abramoff interests, which contributed to more than 300 members of Congress and congressional candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C. Ryun received $250. Tiahrt received $5,440 worth of in-kind contributions. Tiahrt also is giving back contributions, following the flood of public officials -- including President Bush and House Speaker Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. --who have divested themselves of any Abramoff-tainted money in recent weeks. "The congressman didn't want the appearance of any possible connection to Jack Abramoff," said Tiahrt spokesman Chuck Knapp. But any connection to the lobbyist -- especially for Brownback, who has presidential aspirations and a large Abramoff funding total -- isn't helpful, whether wrongdoing occurred or not, said James Franke, political science professor at Kansas State University . "It's guilt by association," he said. The scandal The rise and fall of Jack Abramoff is the talk of Washington right now. But its noise has been rising steadily, and it may get much louder this year. After years of investigation, last year Abramoff and lobbying partner Michael Scanlon were charged in two federal probes. One alleged that they defrauded six American Indian tribes in six states for their lobbying services and possibly manipulated tribal elections. In a separate case, both were investigated for faking a $23 million wire transfer to receive financing to buy a casino boat company. Scanlon is a former aide to House Majority Leader Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas. Abramoff is a longtime Republican lobbyist who raised more than $100,000 for President Bush's 2004 election campaign. Scanlon pleaded guilty to fraud in both cases last November. As part of Abramoff's guilty pleas this week, he now must cooperate with investigators, naming names in his tale of Capitol Hill corruption. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn