Highlights from the Jack Abramoff Scandal November 15, 2006

Favorite:

Complete program at: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=437

Author and National Journal correspondent Peter Stone lists highlights from the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

-----

Peter Stone discusses "Heist: Superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, His Republican Allies, and The Buying of Washington."

Jack Abramoff's back-to-back plea agreements in early 2006, and the related plea deals of three of his former lobbying associates, have created high anxiety for several GOP members of Congress, Capitol Hill aides, and lobbyists, who are now under scrutiny by a federal criminal task force. Based on dozens of interviews with Indian tribal leaders, prominent conservatives, lobbying associates of Abramoff, current and former members of Congress, as well as new documents and email, "Heist" provides a close-up look at Abramoff's meteoric rise and fall as an extraordinarily powerful GOP fundraiser and lobbyist in Washington.

"Heist" is a feat of first-rate investigative journalism, a vivid story of political corruption, greed, and deceit - corruption that many informed analysts say could turn in the biggest congressional scandal in a generation. Peter Stone has covered lobbying and campaign finance issues since 1992 for the National Journal, where he reported exclusively on the influence-peddling scandal surrounding Abramoff since it first broke in early 2004; his book should be devoured by both liberals and conservatives - as well as those in the political center - to fully understand the dynamics and sweep of the Abramoff scandal. - Cody's Books

Peter Stone is a staff correspondent for the National Journal. He's been covering lobbying and campaign finance issues for the magazine since 1992. Heist is his first book. Mr. Stone is a nephew of legendary journalist, I. F. Stone.