U.S. Fraud Charge for Top Lobbyist - New York Times

U.S. Fraud Charge for Top Lobbyist - New York Times:

"Aug. 11 - Jack Abramoff, the once-powerful Republican lobbyist involved in ethics allegations facing Representative Tom DeLay, was indicted in Florida on Thursday on unrelated fraud charges involving his purchase of a fleet of gambling boats from a businessman who was slain amid bitter wrangling over the sale.

The indictment by a federal grand jury in Fort Lauderdale charges Mr. Abramoff and a business partner with conspiracy and wire fraud in the $147.5 million purchase of the shipping line, SunCruz Casinos, in 2000. They are accused of presenting lenders with a counterfeit document suggesting that they had arranged a $23 million wire transfer to the seller.
........................

Mr. DeLay has described Mr. Abramoff, a former action-movie producer and restaurateur whose entry into Republican politics on a national level began with his election as chairman of the College Republicans, as among his 'closest and dearest friends.'"