Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and one of his business partners were indicted on fraud charges related to their purchase of a non-Indian casino.

Abramoff and Adam Kidan were charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. They allegedly faked a wire transfer of $23 million as part of a $147 million purchase of SunCruz, a fleet of Florida gambling boats.

Abramoff, 46, was arrested in Los Angeles, according to news reports. Kidan, 41, is going to turn himself in today in New York City.

Separately, Abramoff is under investigation by two Senate committees and a federal grand jury in the Washington area for his dealings with wealthy casino-owning tribes. Another hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee is planned before a report will be issued by the panel that will recommend changes in lobbying practices.

Get the Story:
Abramoff Indicted in Casino Boat Purchase (The Washington Post 8/12)
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U.S. Fraud Charge for Top Lobbyist (The New York Tmes 8/12)
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Ex-Washington lobbyist Abramoff, associate indicted in Florida (AP 8/12)
Lobbyist indicted on fraud charges (The Los Angeles Times 8/12)
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Abramoff Indictment May Echo in Other Cases, Ex-Prosecutors Say (Bloomberg News 8/12)
Ex-Greenberg Traurig Lobbyist Abramoff Charged With Wire Fraud (New York Law Journal 8/12)
Lobbyist Abramoff indicted on fraud charges (CNN 8/11)

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