Washington lobbyist Abramoff jailed for fraud

Jack Abramoff outside Miami's courthouse. Picture / Reuters

MIAMI - Jack Abramoff, a disgraced lobbyist at the heart of a Washington influence-peddling scandal that has rattled top Republicans, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for fraud in the purchase of a Florida casino cruise line.

Abramoff, who is cooperating in a federal investigation into whether Washington politicians gave his clients favourable treatment in exchange for campaign contributions, Super Bowl tickets and other illegal gifts, was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison.

Abramoff, along with co-defendant Adam Kidan, was ordered to pay US$21.7 million ($36.45 million) in restitution. Kidan was also sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison.

Abramoff pleaded guilty in a Miami federal court in January to conspiracy and wire fraud charges, acknowledging he faked documents to get a US$60 million loan to buy the SunCruz fleet of gambling ships in 2000.

The documents falsely claimed Abramoff and business partner Kidan had put US$23 million of their own money into the deal.

Abramoff also pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy and fraud charges in Washington, admitting he showered golf trips, meals, sports tickets and other gifts on lawmakers in return for actions that would help his clients.

Federal investigators were examining Abramoff's links to a number of Washington politicians, including former House Majority leader Tom DeLay of Texas and Republican Representative Bob Ney of Ohio. DeLay and Ney have denied any wrongdoing.

In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Abramoff said that he worked closely with many top Republicans and said if they denied it, they were lying.

Abramoff and Kidan bought SunCruz from Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis, who was shot dead in an ambush on a street in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in February 2001. Three men were charged in the killing last year.

Abramoff and Kidan have both said they know nothing about Boulis' death.

- REUTERS