Politics
Embattled GOP lobbyist starts non-lobbying business


Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff has started a new venture that will not do any lobbying or government work, Judy Sarasohn of The Washington Post reports.

Abramoff is ending his relationship with the Cassidy & Associates firm to form Middle Gate Ventures. "Now I would like to pursue my own ventures, many of which are far removed from lobbying and government," he was quoted as saying.

Abramoff is at the center of a Congressional probe over more than $45 million in fees four tribes paid to him and a close associate. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has issued subpoenas to several lobbyists in order to compel their testimony.

Abramoff resigned from his firm of Greenberg Traurig after the high fees were disclosed.

Get the Story:
Special Interests: Abramoff to Start Company [see 2nd item] (The Washington Post 7/8)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Three Coushatta leaders handed recall petitions (7/7)
Tribal money secretly funneled to GOP strategist (06/25)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Saginaw Chippewa leader who paid lobbyists ousted (06/04)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)
Tribal chairman says $120K fee to Abramoff worth it (05/18)
Republican governors report biggest donor in 2002 (05/04)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe wonders where $14M went (04/20)
McCain demands documents from lobbyist, PR exec (04/12)
Coushatta treasurer accuses NIGC of lax oversight (04/12)
Choctaw chief Martin defends embattled GOP lobbyist (04/09)
McCain pushing Choctaw tribe to cooperate with probe (4/8)
Coushatta leaders used tribal money to pay lobbyists (4/8)
Coushatta Tribe paid $32M to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (4/6)
McCain aggressive in pursuing lobbyist records (4/5)
McCain demands documents for tribal lobbyist's work (3/30)
Embattled lobbyist signs deal with another firm (03/25)
Embattled tribal lobbyist gave to Conn. Congressman (03/10)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe hires new lobbying firm (3/9)
McCain begins investigation into high tribal fees (3/4)
Pueblo governor says $1M fee to PR firm not worth it (3/3)
McCain calls for investigation into tribal spending (2/27)
Four tribes spent $45M on lobbying and PR firms (2/23)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)
Embattled tribe gets has new lobbyist (12/13)