Corruption Inquiry Threatens to Ensnare Lawmakers - New York Times

Over at Huffington Post, they're referring to this as possibly the largest congressional scandal in over a century. That may be hyperbole, but the scandal itself may boil beyond what would be its normal scope if it occured without the atmosphere of all the other GOP woes. This scandal is complicated, in a way. Most articles i've read either give very little detail into exactly what's going on, usually just referring to the scandal itself as if we all know what it is already. the other type goes into mind bending detail that is hard to understand in bite-sized portions which can be shared over the water cooler. THAT is the key to public outrage. something they can get their minds around. I may try to do a "Cliff's Notes" version of the story here soon. we'll see if i have it in me. In the meantime, just know that it involves Lobbyist Jack Abramoff got alot done for various business interests by giving lots of expensive stuff to congressmen and their staffs. Its also important to note that he was also involved with the Mob, casinos, and perhaps murder.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 - The Justice Department has signaled for the first time in recent weeks that prominent members of Congress could be swept up in the corruption investigation of Jack Abramoff, the former Republican superlobbyist who diverted some of his tens of millions of dollars in fees to provide lavish travel, meals and campaign contributions to the lawmakers whose help he needed most.

The investigation by a federal grand jury, which began more than a year ago, has created alarm on Capitol Hill, especially with the announcement Friday of criminal charges against Michael Scanlon, Mr. Abramoff's former lobbying partner and a former top House aide to Representative Tom DeLay.

The charges against Mr. Scanlon identified no lawmakers by name, but a summary of the case released by the Justice Department accused him of being part of a broad conspiracy to provide "things of value, including money, meals, trips and entertainment to federal public officials in return for agreements to perform official acts" - an attempt at bribery, in other words, or something close to it.">Corruption Inquiry Threatens to Ensnare Lawmakers - New York Times: "WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 - The Justice Department has signaled for the first time in recent weeks that prominent members of Congress could be swept up in the corruption investigation of Jack Abramoff, the former Republican superlobbyist who diverted some of his tens of millions of dollars in fees to provide lavish travel, meals and campaign contributions to the lawmakers whose help he needed most.

The investigation by a federal grand jury, which began more than a year ago, has created alarm on Capitol Hill, especially with the announcement Friday of criminal charges against Michael Scanlon, Mr. Abramoff's former lobbying partner and a former top House aide to Representative Tom DeLay.

The charges against Mr. Scanlon identified no lawmakers by name, but a summary of the case released by the Justice Department accused him of being part of a broad conspiracy to provide 'things of value, including money, meals, trips and entertainment to federal public officials in return for agreements to perform official acts' - an attempt at bribery, in other words, or something close to it.