Former House aide hit with corruption charges

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Former House aide hit with corruption charges
By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writer
– 17 mins ago

WASHINGTON – A former congressional staffer was indicted Friday on corruption charges for taking a free trip to the 2003 World Series.

In the latest case to arise out of the scandal surrounding ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, prosecutors charged Fraser Verrusio, 39, who worked under Republican Rep. Don Young when the Alaska congressman chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Officials say Verrusio and another Capitol Hill staffer accepted an illegal gratuity when lobbyists gave them an all-expense paid trip to New York, including the World Series game and a visit to a strip club.

The lavish trip to the series game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium has already helped prosecutors win corruption-related guilty pleas from three people: Trevor Blackann, a former aide to two Missouri Republicans; James Hirni, a former Abramoff lobbying associate, and Todd Boulanger, another former Abramoff deputy.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090306/ap_on_go_co/lobbying_scandal