The Abramoff Files

Disgraced lobbyist Jack AbramoffWhen lobbyist Jack Abramoff pled guilty last year to multiple counts of fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy, White House officials and George W. Bush were quick to insist that they barely knew the guy. Since then, congressional investigations led by Rep. Henry A. Waxman have found that senior officials including former White House political affairs director Matt Schlapp "had monthly contact with Jack Abramoff on subjects that often involved official government business," and that his company was "viewed by many as a very respected lobbying team." Waxman is asking the White House to turn over 600 pages of documents that it is withholding, which document the details of its relationship with Abramoff.