Abramoff To Plead Guilty - Will Sing

The NYT is reporting that GOP Lobbyist Jack Abramoff will plead guilty to fraud, public corruption and tax evasion charges today. In return, he will cooperate with Federal Prosecutors in Washington that are investigating members of Congress. The startling news from the announcement is that little Jackie has been cooperating with prosecutors all along without a deal in order to show them exactly what he has to offer: Mr. Abramoff has been talking to investigators in the corruption case for many months, participants in the case said, giving them a full picture of what evidence he could offer against other suspects. His participation in Washington has taken place mostly below the radar, as prosecutors made the Miami case the focus of their public work and as Mr. Abramoff and his associates claimed they were preparing to stand trial, facing up to as many as 30 years in prison. Mr. Abramoff will enter separate pleas in both locations. But the deal reached with the Justice Department is all-encompassing, reducing the severe penalties Mr. Abramoff could have faced in either investigation, in exchange for his inside knowledge of certain lobbying work and legislative actions. One element of the deal is that any he can serve prison time in the two cases concurrently, although the sentencing will not take place until much further along in the investigation. In other words, it will only be after he gives the information will he then be sentenced. I would hazard a guess there are more that a few pols in Washington that are now shaking in their collective boots. Get ready for the "both parties do it" talking point that will be emphasized by the MSM. I am sure some Democrats will be pulled in to this investigation (and they damn well should be), but you can bet your last dollar that this was a GOP dominated operation that reaches directly to the leadership. I would guess that all the buddies Tom DeLay is counting on will start jumping ship soon. Add in the belated Fitzmas gifts that are coming and you better grab the popcorn kids, 2006 looks like it will be a bumpy ride over in Repugland!!