Monetary influence of Jack Abramoff

The monetary influence of Jack Abramoff ran deep in Washington, as Jack Abramoff spent millions of dollars to influence and entertain both Republican and Democratic politicians. Abramoff had a reputation for largesse considered exceptional even by Washington standards.[citation needed] In addition to offering many Republican members of Congress expensive free meals at his restaurant, Signatures, Abramoff maintained four skyboxes at major sports arenas for political entertaining at a cost of over $1 million a year. Abramoff hosted many fundraisers at these skyboxes including events for Republican politicians publicly opposed to gambling, such as John Doolittle.[1] Abramoff gave over $260,000 in personal contributions to Republican candidates, politicians, and organizations, and funded numerous trips for politicians and staffers and gave none to Democrats.

From 2000 to 2006, funds and Leadership PACs of numerous Republican candidates for Congress.[2] Under his guidance, his Indian tribe clients loosened their traditional ties to the Democratic Party, giving Republicans two-thirds of the $2.9 million they donated to federal candidates since 2001.[3] He raised $100,000 for the reelection of George W. Bush, making him a Bush Pioneer. Abramoff and his wife gave $10,000 to the Bush-Cheney Recount Fund, shortly before Abramoff joined Greenberg Traurig, which forgave over $314,000 in legal fees incurred by the Bush Campaign in the 2000 Florida election recount.[4]

Of the approximately $85 million in tribal money entrusted to Abramoff, his employers, or his related organizations (see Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal for more), over $4.4 million since 1999 were directed to at least 250 members of Congress, primarily Republicans in leadership positions or on relevant committees, and Democrats with standing connections to Native American interests (in a 2:1 GOP ratio). These contributions have since become tainted by their association with Abramoff's criminal behavior.[5]

Abramoff was associated with Tom DeLay's and Grover Norquist's K Street Project to bring Republican dominance to Washington lobbying.[6]

  1. ^ "Rutland Herald: Rutland Vermont News & Information". Archived from the original on 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
  2. ^ "Jack Abramoff Lobbying and Political Contributions, 1999 - 2006". Capital Eye. Archived from the original on 2006-02-25. Retrieved March 15, 2006.
  3. ^ "One More Look at the Washington Post Clown Show..."]". Archived from the original on 2006-04-19. Retrieved March 15, 2006.
  4. ^ "Bush Florida 2000 recount committee still owes lobbyist's former firm $314k". therawstory. Archived from the original on 2006-08-31. Retrieved March 15, 2006.
  5. ^ "Coming to the Hill: Lots of hearing-room drama". Christian Science Monitor. 3 January 2006. Archived from the original on 6 January 2006. Retrieved 24 January 2006.
  6. ^ Balz, Dan; Bimbaum, Jeffrey H. (January 4, 2006). "Case Bringing New Scrutiny To a System and a Profession". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.