Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff gave expensive gifts to members of Rep. Tom DeLay's staff and was in daily contact with the Texas Republican's office on lobbying matters, according to news reports.

Abramoff gave high-end golf equipment, tickets to sporting events and concerts and a weekend getaway to key DeLay aides, Time Magazine reports. One aide ended up leaving DeLay's office to work with Abramoff at Greenberg Traurig. Staffers who accepted the gifts may have violated House ethics rules, according to Time.

Abramoff's relationship with DeLay's office goes back several years, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press. As far back as the mid-1990s, Abramoff made daily contact with DeLay aides about his work for the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory.

DeLay once called Abramoff "one of my closest and dearest friends" but has denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with the lobbyist under investigation by the Senate and the Department of Justice. The White House is supporting DeLay, who appeared with President Bush at a public event and flew back to Washington on Air Force One on Tuesday.

Abramoff, DeLay and other people involved in the affair will be the subject of a forthcoming book, Raw Story reports. Read the Book, Jack," will be written by Peter Stone of the National Journal.

Get the Story:
Gifts in High Places (Time Magazine 4/26)
Records Show DeLay, Lobbyist Daily Contact (AP 4/26)
Book deal inked on lobbying scandal; DeLay, Abramoff, Reed to be subjects (Raw Story 4/26)
Bush Offers Boost to Embattled DeLay (AP 4/26)
Bush Takes Risk With Show of Support for DeLay (The Washington Post 4/27)
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DeLay Joins a Fan on Air Force One (The New York Times 4/27)
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