Representatives of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana want to speak at the sentencing of jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff this Thursday.

Abramoff admitted that he defrauded the tribes out of millions of dollars. He overbilled them, charged them for services he didn't perform and took actions that weren't in their interests, according to federal investigators. He also referred to his tribal clients in disparaging terms, according to e-mails uncovered during the probe.

Despite the crime, Abramoff's attorneys and the Department of Justice are seeking a reduction in his sentence. If Judge Ellen S. Huvelle agrees, he could be out of prison in about three years. He is already in jail for pleading guilty to bank fraud charges.

Get the Story:
Fraud Victims Ask to Speak at Abramoff's Sentencing (BLT: The Blog of the Legal Times 8/29)

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Abramoff pleads for leniency ahead of sentencing (8/29)
DOJ seeks reduction in sentence for Abramoff (08/28)