3.30.2006
Abramoff Gets Minimum Sentence (WashingtonPost.com)
Former Lobbyist to Spend 5 Years, 10 Months in Prison
By Peter Whoriskey and William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, March 29, 2006; 2:39 PM
MIAMI, March 29 -- Jack A. Abramoff, the once-powerful Republican lobbyist at the center of a major corruption scandal, was sentenced Wednesday to five years and 10 months in prison for his role in the fraudulent purchase of a fleet of casino cruise ships. An associate received the same sentence.
U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck sentenced Abramoff, 47, and his former partner, Adam R. Kidan, 41, to the shortest possible prison terms under sentencing guidelines in the case. In pleading for the minimum sentence, lawyers for each defendant laid most of the blame on the other for the scam, in which they faked a $23 million wire transfer to obtain financing for the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos from an owner who was later shot to death in a gangland-style hit.
"As you can imagine, this day is incredibly painful for my family, my friends and me," Abramoff told the judge. "In the past two years, I've started the process of becoming a new man."
Wearing a gray double-breasted suit and appearing somber, Abramoff said he was "very much chastened and profoundly remorseful" for what he called his "reckless acts." He added, "I can only hope the Almighty and all those I've wronged will forgive my trespasses."
Kidan said in court, "I've accepted full responsibility for my role in this. I stand before you completely remorseful."
(More ... Abramoff Gets Minimum Sentence) ¶ 08:00
By Peter Whoriskey and William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, March 29, 2006; 2:39 PM
MIAMI, March 29 -- Jack A. Abramoff, the once-powerful Republican lobbyist at the center of a major corruption scandal, was sentenced Wednesday to five years and 10 months in prison for his role in the fraudulent purchase of a fleet of casino cruise ships. An associate received the same sentence.
U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck sentenced Abramoff, 47, and his former partner, Adam R. Kidan, 41, to the shortest possible prison terms under sentencing guidelines in the case. In pleading for the minimum sentence, lawyers for each defendant laid most of the blame on the other for the scam, in which they faked a $23 million wire transfer to obtain financing for the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos from an owner who was later shot to death in a gangland-style hit.
"As you can imagine, this day is incredibly painful for my family, my friends and me," Abramoff told the judge. "In the past two years, I've started the process of becoming a new man."
Wearing a gray double-breasted suit and appearing somber, Abramoff said he was "very much chastened and profoundly remorseful" for what he called his "reckless acts." He added, "I can only hope the Almighty and all those I've wronged will forgive my trespasses."
Kidan said in court, "I've accepted full responsibility for my role in this. I stand before you completely remorseful."
(More ... Abramoff Gets Minimum Sentence) ¶ 08:00
