Report: Burns Part of Lobbyist Probe

[illflem]

The Missoulian

Saturday 26 November 2005

Helena - The scope of a US Justice Department investigation of indicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff is wider than previously believed and now includes his dealings with US Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The front-page story quotes anonymous sources, including lawyers and others involved in the case.

It said prosecutors in the Justice Department's public integrity and fraud divisions are looking at “possible influence-peddling" by Abramoff with congressional Republicans - former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas, Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio, Rep. John Doolittle of California and Burns.

The story quoted Burns' spokesman, J.P. Pendleton, as saying the senator's office has not yet been contacted by the Justice Department and that Burns has not retained a criminal defense attorney.

“We are more than happy to help out in any investigation should we be asked," Pendleton told the Journal.

Burns, up for re-election next year, helped one of Abramoff's tribal clients, the Saginaw Chippewa tribe in Michigan, obtain a $3 million congressional grant to build a school. Because of its Indian gambling, the tribe is one of the richest in the nation and makes annual $70,000 payments to each member.

The Montana senator has denied any wrongdoing. Burns, who headed a Senate subcommittee overseeing the grants, said he pushed for the grant to the Saginaw Chippewa tribe at the urging of Michigan's two US senators, both Democrats.

The Journal said Burns has received $150,000 in contributions from Abramoff, his lobbying partners and his clients since 2001.

In addition, the Journal reported the Justice Department is investigating at least 17 current and former congressional aides, with about half taking lobbying jobs with Abramoff, and two former Bush administration officials. Abramoff hired three Burns aides to join his lobbying firm.

Burns is seeking his fourth six-year Senate term. He faces a primary challenge from Bob Kelleher, a Butte lawyer. Democrats running are state Auditor John Morrison of Helena, former state Rep. Paul Richards of Boulder, state Senate President Jon Tester of Big Sandy and Clint Wilkes of Bozeman.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/11/26/news/mtregional/news06.txt

[rrasile]

1. Not burns

he's the one that picks on Italians. Didn't he ask "I'm wondering if that's all they're hiring," Burns said of a federal agency.
With so many of his staff taking lobbying jobs with Abramoff being a part of the record it has to be best to replace him before he gets indited sometime down the line.