Judge rejects feds' request to delay Abramoff prison sentence

[Scurrilous]

Federal prosecutors' bid to postpone Jack Abramoff's stay in prison were rejected by the judge, who said the time had come for the disgraced ex-lobbyist to begin his punishment.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/15646191.htm

<snip>

"Judge rebuffs feds, rejects delay of prison sentence.

The bribery investigation involving influence-peddler Jack Abramoff may have been stymied by a federal judge in Florida just as prosecutors began asking questions about the lobbyist's ties to the White House.

U.S. District Judge Paul Huck refused to delay Abramoff's prison sentence for fraud charges Thursday, rejecting a plea by the Justice Department's top corruption prosecutor, who said Abramoff was providing information about officials whose names hadn't yet surfaced in the case.

In the past month, the FBI has been pursuing leads about Abramoff's access to the White House and whether he was able to help lawmakers get Bush administration backing for their bills, according to someone familiar with the direction of the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because of its secrecy."

<snip>

"During Thursday's court hearing in Miami, Ed Nucci, acting chief of the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, did not mention any targets of the Abramoff case. He told the judge, however, that with the disgraced former lobbyist behind bars, "what we need from Mr. Abramoff will be impossible to get."

[C_U_L8R]

1. Jack can rat from his jail cell just as easily

in fact he might be a little more motivated

[Joanne98]

4. That's what I was thinking. But does the DA still have something to trade.

Like reducing his sentence for snitching. This could fuck things up.

[William Bloode]

5. In fed stuff you can ask for a time cut.....

some where around 1/2 way through your sentence. That may give them a bit of leverage with him.

[Joanne98]

6. Oh! I didn't know that. Good.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Jackie Ain't Talkin'

Like they're getting anything out of him. Yeah, right. By now, he's said all he's going to say. He just doesn't want to serve his time. Maybe he's waiting on a pardon or something.

What a fucking joke. GO TO JAIL JACK!! The sooner you get it done with, the quicker you can go back and try to resume your career in screwing over as many Democrats as possible.

[Demeter]

3. Only 6 Years?

There must be more trials coming up for smiling Jack A.

[NNguyenMD]

7. no, he'll "unexpectedly" pass away from a heart attack the day before

he's suppose to be locked up, and his personal physician won't be able to recall if he was being treated fro heart disease or not.

This is what you shoudl anticipate from Bush's friends, no personal responsibility whatsoever

[truthisfreedom]

8. the politicians facing investigation got to the judge...

that's the only reason the judge would wreck the investigation like this.

[seafan]

9. Just a point of clarification:

It doesn't look like "someone got to the judge." He has been quite generous in allowing extra time for the prosecutors. And he is right in that "there comes a time to pay the piper." Old Jack can still drop some dimes from behind bars.



Both Abramoff and Kidan were originally scheduled to surrender to prison on Monday, October 2, 2006.

U.S. District Judge Paul Huck had previously approved a 90-day delay for Abramoff and Kidan in June, 2006.

On September 28, 2006 U.S. District Judge Paul Huck reluctantly agreed to let Abramoff remain free until Nov. 15, and Adam Kidan until Oct. 23.

"I don't feel good about this," Huck said. "My main concern is, there comes a time when people have to pay the piper, so to speak. I think that time has come."

But U.S. District Judge Paul Huck rejected a joint request by federal prosecutors and defense lawyers for an additional 90 days beyond Monday's (October 2) scheduled prison surrender date for both. Instead, the judge reluctantly agreed to give Abramoff until Nov. 15 and Kidan until Oct. 23 to remain free.

Huck, who was appointed to the bench by President Clinton, said Abramoff should not receive special treatment. Abramoff pleaded guilty in Florida to concocting a fake wire transfer to buy an offshore gambling fleet.