Wampum

USN&WR adds to growing speculation:

Abramoff Probe Hopes to Nab Another Congressman
By Paul Bedard
Posted 10/23/06

The FBI and Justice Department appear to be expanding their probe into the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal in hopes of nabbing another member of Congress and aides, according to sources involved in the case.

I know others, such as the downright dogged Dengre at DailyKos and Josh Marshall and the TPMuckrakers (sounds like a new band), have looked in detail at tAbramoff's CNMI (Marianas Islands)/Congressional connections, but we all know that here in Wampumland, we perservate on Abramoff and us Injuns.

So, should Jack nab someone due to his tribal gaming clients, who would I consider on the short list?

Of course, there are the usual suspects, such as Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), both of whom have used their considerable clout on SIAC and the House Resources Committee, respectively, to assist Abramoff's wealthy tribal clients, while ignoring the needs of their own local, often destitute, tribes.

But a few who are at considerable risk, but often forgotten are:

Rep. Deborah Pryce
Rep. JD Hayworth
Rep. Charles Taylor
Rep. Dennis Hastert

Those are off the top of my head. Of course, there are current and former Administration officials too, who may soon fall to Abramoff's whistleblowing. These include (but are not limited to):

Sec. Gale Norton
Dep. Sec. Steven Griles
Amb. Julie Finley
Solicitor Bill Myers
Ass. Sec. Lynn Scarlett
Ass. Sec. Neil McCaleb
Ass. Sec. Bennett Raley

Abramoff: The gift that just keeps on giving.