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| 2006/4/4 [Politics/Domestic/Crime, Politics/Domestic/President/Bush] UID:42655 Activity:nil |
4/4 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4866964.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4773160.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4358830.stm The Culture of Corruption making headlines. Any more on the list? |
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| news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4866964.stm Printable version Guilty plea in US bribery probe Tony Rudy leave a federal court in Washington on 31 March 2006 Mr Rudy faces up to five years in jail and fines An ex-aide to a top Republican lawmaker has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a corruption case that has rattled the US political establishment. Tony Rudy, ex-deputy chief-of-staff of former House Majority leader Tom DeLay, admitted to conspiring in a federal court in Washington. Mr Rudy also promised to co-operate with an ongoing enquiry focusing on dealings of several top US politicians. At the heart of the case is convicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Abramoff - who was sentenced earlier this week to 70 months in jail in a separate fraud case - has been co-operating in the federal enquiry. Golf trip Mr Rudy, 39, entered the guilty plea on one count of conspiracy. He admitted to conspiring with Abramoff in influencing members of Congress both while working for Mr DeLay in 1995-2000 and after leaving the office. As Mr DeLay's aide, Mr Rudy took payments from Abramoff in 2000 and also helped in stopping an internet-gambling bill opposed to Abramoff's clients, according to court papers. After leaving Mr DeLay's office and becoming a lobbyist himself, he was involved in arranging an overseas golf trip for a Republican congressman, identified as Representative 1 Mr Rudy faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a big fine. But under the co-operation agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to lesser term. Lavish meals On Wednesday, Abramoff was given five years and 10 months in jail for conspiracy and fraud in the case relating to the purchase of the SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet in Florida in 2000. But Abramoff - along with his convicted co-defendant Adam Kidan - does not have to begin serving their sentences for another 90 days in order to be able to continue co-operating in the Washington corruption case. In January, Abramoff also pleaded guilty to defrauding the Native American tribes that were his clients, to tax evasion and to conspiring to bribe public officials. The wide-ranging federal inquiry began in 2004 after reports that he and business partner Michael Scanlon had received some $45m (-L-26m) from Native American tribes with casinos. Abramoff was accused of exploiting the tribes to enrich himself and his friends, and offering politicians in both houses of Congress lavish meals, tickets to major sporting events and trips. |
| news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4773160.stm Randy "Duke" Cunningham - a 64-year-old decorated Vietnam War pilot - pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion. Cunningham accepted cash and gifts including a Rolls-Royce, a yacht and $40,000 Persian rugs in return for doing favours and awarding contracts. The case is one of several corruption scandals involving senior Republicans. Lobbyist Jack Abramoff says he will name numerous congressmen who accepted millions of dollars worth of bribes from him - mostly Republicans, but also Democrats. I have ripped my life to shreds due to my actions Randy Cunningham Meanwhile the former leader of Republicans in the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay, faces trial in Texas on money laundering charges. Correspondents say the scandals threaten to influence the course of mid-term elections in November. Plea for mother Cunningham's punishment - eight years and four months in jail - is one of the longest sentences ever meted out to a congressman. In an unsteady voice he told the judge in the San Diego courtroom: "Your honour I have ripped my life to shreds due to my actions, my actions that I did to myself. He pleaded to see his 91-year-old mother one last time before going to prison, but was refused permission. You weren't hungry and yet you did these things," he said. "I think what you've done is you've undermined the opportunity that honest politicians have to do a good job." Washington historian Fred W Beuttler told the Associated Press that Cunningham's corruption was the worst in the history of Congress. "In the sheer dollar amount, he is the most corrupt," he said. Prosecutor Phil Halpern said Cunningham helped award contracts that squandered millions of dollars on "systems the military didn't ask for, didn't need and frequently didn't use". Cunningham was taken into custody much thinner than when he pleaded guilty in November. |
| news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4358830.stm Printable version Warrant for DeLay arrest issued Tom DeLay DeLay has denied the charges A Texas court has issued a warrant for the arrest of leading US Republican politician Tom DeLay on money laundering and conspiracy charges. Bail was set at $10,000 (-L-5,600) ahead of the former House majority leader's scheduled court appearance on Friday. But it means that before his court appearance, Mr DeLay is likely to be fingerprinted and photographed. Mr DeLay is accused of breaking campaign finance law, but denies it. He is accused of laundering $190,000 (-L-108,000) in corporate contributions for use in Republican campaigns in Texas. State law forbids the use of corporate money for political campaigns. "To any sheriff or peace officer of the state of Texas, greetings, you are hereby commanded to arrest Thomas Dale DeLay and keep him safely so that you have him before the 331st Judicial District Court of Travis County," the warrant said. Mr DeLay is expected to present himself at Fort Bend County jail for booking, and to make his first court appearance on Friday morning. The BBC's James Coomerasamy in Washington says Mr DeLay's lawyers had hoped to avoid the issuing of a warrant. Its negative impact on public relations could be considerable, our correspondent says. Mr DeLay - nicknamed the Hammer for his forthright style - was until recently one of the most powerful politicians in Washington. A close ally of President George Bush, he has temporarily stepped down from his post as leader of Republicans in the House of Representatives to answer the charges. |