"Adam will testify against Abramoff and Ney if given an opportunity"

[kpete]

Plea Deal Near With 2nd Abramoff Associate
Kidan Has Agreed to Cooperate in Probes

By Susan Schmidt and James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, December 9, 2005; Page A08

Federal prosecutors have all but finalized a plea agreement with a second business partner of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff in exchange for cooperation in the ongoing criminal investigations of Abramoff, congressional aides and Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio), lawyers in the case said yesterday.

Adam Kidan, a longtime confidant of Abramoff's, has agreed to testify against Abramoff in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., next month when he is to face trial on fraud and conspiracy charges in connection with their purchase of a fleet of Florida casino boats. A Kidan plea would tie Abramoff's legal troubles in Florida more closely to the Washington investigation into his lobbying practices, pressuring Abramoff to reach a deal of his own that could implicate members of Congress and other government officials, lawyers involved in the case said.

Kidan, who has known Abramoff since their student days when they were members of the College Republicans, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud in connection with the purchase of the SunCruz fleet in the fall of 2000.

"Adam will testify against Abramoff and Ney if he is given an opportunity to do so," said Joseph Conway, an attorney for Kidan.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/08/AR2005120802232.html

[Greeby]

1. Gets the snacks, this could be fun

:popcorn:

[MelissaB]

2. Joining and K&R

:popcorn:

[hedda_foil]

4. I give! What does K&R mean????

[tex-wyo-dem]

5. Kicked and Recommended...

took me a while to figure that one out as well :)

[hedda_foil]

6. Thanks!

It was driving me nuts!

[bleever]

9. hedda: you clearly spend too much time in the real world.

(BTW, thanks for tip that Abramoff lobbied for Diebold.)

:hi:

[texpatriot2004]

14. Abramoff lobbied for Diebold? Really? I missed that. Where can

I find that info?

[bleever]

15. Here's one place:

http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/HAVA-chart.11.04.pdf

Lists who lobbied for which voting machine company, and which bills they lobbied on.

:hi:

[texpatriot2004]

17. Thanks Bleever. nm

[FreedomAngel82]

18. Nice

I got the soda and chips!

[tex-wyo-dem]

3. Excellent!

The noose is tightening...

K&R

[kpete]

7. More Ney from TPM

TPM Reader JO is willing to give Rep. Ney (R-OH) his due ...

"Ney returned to the same casino on a personal trip later in 2003 and reported on his financial disclosure form that he won $34,000. Walsh has said Ney parlayed a $100 bet into the large winning on two hands of a three-card game of chance."
That's the trick Rick used in Casablanca to help the young Bulgarian woman get an exit visa for herself and her husband without having to sleep with Louie. Of course, Ney and his cronies cleverly disguised the scheme by changing it from roulette (a couple of bets on good ol' 22) to a card game.

I'm no fan of bribery, but if Ney is going to put his hand out, his homage to Bogie at least shows that he's a crook with an appreciation for a great movie.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

[No Exit]

8. When he says "if given the opportunity", he AIN'T kiddin'

The period btw the plea (bargain) of guilty, and the sentencing (at which a federal witness reaps his reward for turning "state's" evidence by testifying) is a period in which the life expectancy for such a witness takes a DRAMATIC PLUNGE. I'm not kidding.

[autorank]

10. kpete, Excellent! Why do you think the Feds are going after Abramoff

My theory: there is a civil war raging behind the scenes with "management" (the owners of wealth in this country). Nobody has total control but those "owners" who think that * is barking mad are using various means to unleash the dogs...sending him a message to f'ing back off. He won't get it so the battles will continue. I find this fascinating. The Federal prosecutors are going after the one guy with links to many, many Republicans; the one guy who could bring the entire house of cards down.

The "key man" theory would include Abramoff as the 'matrix of evil and shame' and Firzgerald as the 'matrix of vengeance and retribution'

Fascinating stuff.

[drm604]

11. That's very close to what I've been thinking.

It looks like there's a concerted effort to go after the most connected people, those who know the most and who have engaged many others in illegal or at least questionable activities.
I'll add that I think there may be some pissed-off CIA or ex-CIA people trying to bring down this administration. Bringing down governments is their specialty, after all, and this administration has given them plenty to be pissed about.
I've been amazed that this administration has been dumb enough to mess with the CIA like they have. You'd think that they, of all people, would know better.

[autorank]

16. A fellow cell mate at the assylum...but that doesn't mean we're wrong!

How about this. The CIA works for "management." You know, "them." So they've got double incentive. It's a grudge match. It's also a "commission." You're right. Too many top people are pissed off and worried. Even the craven Leno has turned on them. By accident, I saw his resident * imitator. It's really brutal stuff;) Check this out

:evilgrin:

[electropop]

12. Another sign that Abramoff is going to clear a lot of filth out of DC.

Like a law enforcement Tsunami, Abramoff is flowing down the Potomac toward Washington. The levees around the Culture Of Corruption are looking a little fragile.

[FreedomAngel82]

19. I know I can't wait!!

[WilliamPitt]

13. Let this burn

right 'till next November.