nite swimming

First Congressman Receives Subpoena in Abramoff Corruption Investigation

The subpoena of Rep. Robert W. Ney (R - OH) is most likely the first of many in the investigation of mega Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Abramoff and his friend Tom DeLay have built quite a network of corruption in Washington D.C. and we can only guess at this point in time where this investigation will lead. It doesn't bode well for Republicans in the midterm elections a year from now. I imagine there were many Republicans in DC last week with furrowed brows.

From the Washington Post:

Under House rules, members must announce subpoenas, and they are then reported in the Congressional Record. Ney received the subpoena earlier in the week, and it was announced to the House yesterday. Walsh [Ney's spokesman] said that "we do not believe that there would be any grounds" for Ney to be a target of the investigation.

[...]

Although no other lawmakers have been subpoenaed in the Abramoff investigation, Julie Doolittle, wife of Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), and a company controlled by the husband of Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) have received subpoenas from the grand jury.

Stay tuned.

Added: Carl Hiaasen, a columnist at the Miami Herald provides a unique perspective on Abramoff: Adventures of Jack Abramoff -- an ugly story. [Thanks, Andrea.]