"Three More Lawmakers Tied to Lobbyist"

[in_cog_ni_to]

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

David Safavian, a former GSA chief of staff, we knew about, but look who else is involved. :7

Three More Lawmakers Tied to Lobbyist
By TONI LOCY and PETE YOST, Associated Press Writers
48 minutes ago


Two of the elected officials referred to in Friday's filings have been identified in published reports as Reps. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, and Don Young, R-Alaska. According to Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, the two representatives wrote to the GSA in September 2002, urging the agency to give preferential treatment to groups such as Indian tribes when evaluating development proposals for the Old Post Office.

LaTourette maintains he did nothing improper by advocating special opportunities for certain small businesses in areas known as HUBzones, or Historically Underutilized Business zones. His spokeswoman, Deborah Setliff, said that the letter was reviewed by Young's chief of staff and counsel and that it did not advocate any particular business over another.

A spokesman for Young did not return telephone calls.

Friday's filings by prosecutors refer to a third member of Congress, Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Her name appears in e-mails that suggest she was trying to help Abramoff secure a GSA lease for land in Silver Spring for a religious school.

Capito claims to know nothing about the effort. "The action taken by her former chief of staff was done without her knowledge, approval or consent," said her spokesman, Joel Brubaker. "She was not aware of any contact with GSA of any type on this matter."<snip>

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/02/10/323783.html