Formerly a powerful Washington lobbyist, Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to charges that he and a former aide to Tom DeLay bilked an Indian tribe out of millions, which they spent on golfing, expensive dinners, sports tickets and themselves.
Abramoff's plea and agreement to cooperate in an investigation of other top Republican lawmakers means his 30-year sentence is reduced to 9 1/2 to 11 years. He will also pay fines of at least $26.7 million U.S.
DeLay and Rep. Bob Ney, R.-Ohio, are already targeted in an investigation into whether Abramoff and his clients received preferential legislative treatment in exchange for campaign contributions and gifts.
