Editorial: Griles deserves tougher prison sentence

Monday, April 2, 2007  

"What with all the news about the politically tainted firings of several federal prosecutors - apparently for refusing to subject justice to the White House's political agenda - it's good to know the Justice Department's prosecution of Washington's lobbying scandal is alive and ongoing.

J. Stephen Griles, who served as deputy secretary of the Interior Department under Gale Norton during President Bush's first term, pleaded guilty a week ago to lying to a Senate committee about his ties to Jack Abramoff, the one-time prominent lobbyist and central figure in an influence-peddling scandal.

In November 2005, he lied to a Senate Indian Affairs subcommittee, saying he'd never had a unique or special relationship with Mr. Abramoff. Actually, Mr. Griles' girlfriend, Italia Federici, the head of a conservative environmental group that received $500,000 from Mr. Abramoff and his clients, had introduced Messrs Griles and Abramoff. She also acted as a frequent go-between.

Mr. Griles, who faces five years in prison, is due for sentencing June 26. Prosecutors are recommending a five-month jail term and another five months in a halfway house or home confinement.

Mr. Griles has admitted to wrongdoing in this case, apologized and accepted responsibility. Still, we think justice demands a longer sentence than what prosecutors are recommending."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Abramoff Probe Chugs Along (The Harford Courant 4/2)
pwday

Relevant Documents:
DOJ Press Release | Charge of Information | Plea Agreement | Statement of Facts | Earl Devaney Statement

November 2, 2005, Hearing:
Transcript | Webcast | Testimony

Cobell Declarations:
November 15, 2001 | June 4, 2002

Inspector General Report:
J. Steven Griles Investigation (March 2004)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
Norton stripping BIA of trust duties (November 16, 2001) | Tribal leaders in uproar over proposal (November 16, 2001) | Griles taking lead on trust reform (November 5, 2001)

Indianz.Com Profile:
The downfall of J. Steven Griles (3/26)
Deputy Secretary: J. Steven Griles (3/9)

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