"Rep. Eric Cantor, R-VA., the House Chief Deputy whip, along with other members of the House Republican leadership, signed a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton on June 10, 2003, that helped lobbyist Jack Abramoff's clients. The lawmaker received about $31,500 from Abramoff, his lobbying partners and tribal clients between 2001 and 2004, including roughly $4,500 in the period around which the letter was sent. Rep. Cantor also used Abramoff's restaurant, Signatures, for a fund-raiser or other event, records show." (Associated Press, 11/17/05)
And about that letter (via CREW's non-partisan website on DeLay-style corruption):
Legislative Assistance for Jack Abramoff's ClientRep. Blunt and his staff have close connections to uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is the subject of criminal and congressional probes. In June 2003, Mr. Abramoff persuaded Majority Leader Tom DeLay to organize a letter, co-signed by Speaker Hastert, Whip Roy Blunt, and Deputy Whip Eric Cantor, that endorsed a view of gambling law benefitting Mr. Abramoff?s client, the Louisiana Coushatta, by blocking gambling competition by another tribe. Mr. Abramoff has donated $8,500 to Rep. Blunt?s leadership PAC, Rely on Your Beliefs.
Perhaps the muck is only up to his ankles right now, but Eric Cantor appears to be in the Abramoff quicksand nonetheless.