As you read today's Washington Post lead story on the rise and fall of Jack Abramoff, "central figure in congressional corruption scandal[s]," keep in mind the George Allen connection. Back in November, we described in detail how George Allen was given $1,000 by Jack Abramoff in early 2000, the same time that Abramoff was embroiled in what would later become known as the Abramoff-Reed-Indian Gambling Scandal. We also discussed the odd "coincidence" that, according to Time Magazine:
Virginia Republicans George Allen and John Warner?introduced a package deal for six Virginia tribes?despite the opposition of the [Bureau of Indian Affairs], which says the bill would permit the tribes to bypass regular channels and allow them ?to avoid the scrutiny to which other groups have been subjected.
As we said at the time, we're absolutely SURE there's no connection here. None whatsoever. Nosiree George! Still, as we pointed out in November, it sure would be nice if Senator Allen could explain why he was receiving thousands of dollars from Jack ?Indian Casino Gambling? Abramoff and his former lobbying firm while pushing for legislation that could lead to Indian casino gambling right here in Virginia. It also would be nice if Senator Allen would return the money he got from Abramoff.
By the way, it also turns out that George Allen received money from the Alexander Strategy Group, a lobbying and consulting firm run by former senior aides to Tom DeLay, and with which ?Abramoff shared some of his high-paying clients,? according to the Washington Post. On 4/26/05, Allen received $1,000 from Tony C. Rudy, ?DeLay?s deputy chief of staff until 2001, when he took a job with Abramoff.? According to TPM Cafe, ?When Abramoff left Preston Gates & Ellis LLP in 2000 for rival lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig, he convinced Rudy to leave his post as DeLay?s Chief to Staff to help build ?Team Abramoff? at Greenberg Traurig?.At Greenberg Traurig, Rudy worked with Abramoff and Mike Scanlon representing the Marianas islands.?
The thing is, there may not be any fire here regarding Senator Allen, but there?s certainly a heck of a lot of smoke. At the minimum, it seems clear that there?s an appearance of impropriety. Also, at the minimum, all this money sloshing around points out the urgent need for serious lobbying reform. In the meantime, though, we would simply love to hear a convincing explanation from Senator Allen regarding the money he received directly from Jack Abramoff, or indirectly from Abramoff?s cronies like Tony Rudy. In particular, we would love to know whether or not there was any ?quid pro quo? involved regarding Indian gambling interests or anything else.
We first asked about this in late November. It's now late December. So far, we haven't heard a word. We also haven't seen any sign of George Allen returning the tainted "Team Abramoff" money, as North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan and Montana Sen. Conrad Burns have done. CBS News points out that "Burns faces re-election next year and the link to Abramoff has created a flurry of headlines in his home state." That's great, but what about OUR home state? So far, I've read precious little on this issue in the "mainstream media" of Virginia. C'mon guys, what are you waiting for - go get 'em!!!
P.S. If Allen-Abramoff isn't exciting enough for you, how about other Virginia Republicans like Eric Cantor (7th District), Tom Davis (11th District) and Virgil Goode (5th District)? Do these people agree with Burns that returning their own Team Abramoff money is necessary to ?renew the faith of . . . all Americans, in their government? Or not?