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Jack Abramoff
Former Lobbyist
Washington super-lobbyist at the center of the largest corruption scandal in a generation, who bribed members of Congress and defrauded Native American tribes of tens of millions
Overview
Jack Allan Abramoff was a Washington, D.C. lobbyist whose corruption scandal led to the conviction of 21 people, including White House officials, congressional aides, and a sitting congressman. Abramoff and his partner Michael Scanlon defrauded six Native American tribes of approximately $85 million in lobbying fees, charging tribes to fight legislation that Abramoff himself had secretly arranged to be introduced. He provided lavish gifts, luxury trips to Scotland and the Mariana Islands, meals at his restaurant Signatures, and skybox tickets to members of Congress and their staff in exchange for legislative favors. Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) was convicted and imprisoned for accepting bribes from Abramoff. The scandal also implicated Deputy Secretary of the Interior J. Steven Griles, White House aide David Safavian, and congressional staffers. Abramoff pleaded guilty in 2006 to fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe public officials. He was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Defrauded six Native American tribes of $85 million in lobbying fees
Orchestrated threats to tribes then charged them to lobby against those threats
Bribed Rep. Bob Ney and other officials with gifts, trips, and meals
21 people convicted in resulting corruption investigation
Called Native American clients "monkeys" and "troglodytes" in private emails
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
3 documented violations
18 U.S.C. 201(b)Conspiracy to bribe public officials - lavish gifts to members of Congress(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1341/1343Mail fraud and wire fraud - defrauding Native American tribal clients(federal)
26 U.S.C. 7201Tax evasion - failure to report income from corrupt dealings(federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Michael Scanlon
Business partner and co-conspirator in tribal fraud
Bob Ney
Congressman convicted of accepting Abramoff bribes
Tom DeLay
House Majority Leader; close ally who took Abramoff-funded trips
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- February 28, 1959
- Birthplace
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Also Known As
- Casino Jack
Education
- •Brandeis University (B.A.)
- •Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.)
Key Timeline
1994
Begins lobbying career representing Native American tribal casinos
2001-2004
Peak period of corruption; $85M extracted from tribes
2004-02
Washington Post and Senate Indian Affairs Committee expose scheme
2006-01-03
Pleads guilty to fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe
2006-09-04
Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison
2010-06
Released from prison