"Here's how to prosper in Washington, as revealed in documents obtained by Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman John McCain.

Use your position as a lobbyist to milk your clients for millions of dollars, spread a little of it around in Congress, divvy up the rest with a cohort, and stash the rest in the Cayman Islands, well-known for bank secrecy laws.

That's what lobbyist Jack Abramoff is accused of doing. Correspondence between Abramoff and others, released by McCain's committee, outlines a plan dubbed "gimme five" used to maximize payments from the casino-rich Mississippi Choctaw tribe while skimming off a major share of the proceeds for themselves.

"I'm just surprised I am not under 'dead, disgraced or in jail,'" Abramoff joked to a colleague in an e-mail exchange. Perhaps he should be in the latter category. One e-mail obtained by the Senate Committee shows that Abramoff and his partner charged the Mississippi tribe $7.7 million for projects in 2001. The two divided $6.5 million in ways that sought to avoid taxes."

Get the Story:
Journal Views: How to prosper in Washington (The Idaho State Journal 6/29)

Related Stories:
Abramoff cut Ralph Reed off from Choctaw money (6/29)
Column: Kosher deli owner brought home the pork (6/29)
Hopi Tribe drops lobbyist who worked with Abramoff (6/28)
Hayworth downplays links to Abramoff scandal (6/28)
SagChip leader feels vindicated on Jack Abramoff (6/28)
Lobbying Report: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (6/27)
Choctaws hire three ex-Abramoff lobbyists (6/27)
Investigation links Reed, Norquist to Abramoff (6/27)
Column: E-mail trail shows how to scam tribes (6/27)
Bit player takes center stage in Abramoff scandal (6/27)
Political Play of the Week: Senate lifeguard (6/27)
Opinion: Ralph Reed helps launder tribal money (6/27)
Harjo: Tribes lobby to fleece their own people (6/24)
Choctaws hire lobbyist accused in Abramoff fraud (6/24)
Editorial: Reed lied about taking money from Choctaws (6/24)
Opinion: Reed didn't lie, he just followed the law (6/24)
Ralph Reed pressed by rival to document tribal ties (6/24)
Column: Jack Abramoff's Choctaw Nation (6/24)
Column: No limits to Republican sleaze in Washington (6/24)
Editorial: Washington in worst lobbying scandal ever (6/24)
Senate committee plans to issue lobbying report (6/23)
Under scrutiny, Choctaw tribe goes into hiding (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws focus of Senate lobbying hearing (6/23)
Column: Wasichus testify on lobbying scandal (6/23)
Update on Senate hearing into lobbying scandal (6/22)
Mississippi Choctaws at center of lobbying hearing (6/22)
Coushatta Tribe gave millions to lobbyists, campaigns (6/22)
Influence peddling on the rise in Washington (6/22)
Another hearing on Abramoff lobbying scandal (06/21)
White House told DOI to pay attention to Abramoff (06/20)
Republican tied to Abramoff pushes anti-gaming bill (06/17)
Opinion sought on GOP group's use of tribal funds (6/16)
Ads target Ney for role in Abramoff scandal (6/16)
DOJ's Public Integrity Section leads Abramoff probe (6/15)
GOP activist won't testify at lobbying hearing (06/14)
Ralph Reed hasn't been hurt by Abramoff scandal (06/13)
Tigua Tribe feels 'betrayed' by Jack Abramoff (06/13)
Lawmaker under scrutiny for links to Abramoff (06/10)
Republican leader defends letter to Gale Norton (06/10)
Senate hearing to focus on Norquist and Reed (06/09)
Opinion: Abramoff and Norquist like 'cat burglars' (06/09)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Bloomberg: Abramoff tribes gave $1.4M to Congress (5/19)
Tribal funds helped Abramoff's failed Jewish school (5/18)
Abramoff tribes gave $153K to Montana delegation (5/16)
Column: Tribal bucks went to Republican interests (5/13)
Grand jury in Abramoff probe subpoenas Democrats (5/13)
Familiar problems aired at recognition hearing (05/12)
Column: Ney investigated for Abramoff donations (5/11)
Abramoff refused to appear at hearing on high fees (5/10)
Abramoff lobbying scandal prompts look at rules (5/9)
Abramoff tied to yet another Congressional trip (5/9)
Abramoff scandal an issue in Georgia campaign (5/9)
Abramoff accused of double-dealing another client (5/6)
Coushatta tribal member went on DeLay golf outing (5/6)
Tom Cole recuses himself in any probe of DeLay (5/5)
In the Loop Contest: Name that Washington scandal (5/4)
Abramoff based political activities on Jewish faith (5/4)
Travel paid by Abramoff said to violate ethics rules (5/4)
New legislation seeks overhaul of lobbying regulations (5/4)
More Congressional travel linked to Abramoff (5/3)
Jack Abramoff breaks silence on lobbying scandal (5/2)
Abramoff a target in federal bank fraud probe (5/2)
McCain won't touch lawmakers in probe of Abramoff (4/28)
Ney signed onto bill after using tribe's luxury suite (4/28)
Recall of anti-Abramoff Sag Chip leaders debated (4/28)
More ties between Abramoff and DeLay detailed (4/27)
Former DeLay chief of staff lobbied for NIGA (4/26)
Tim Giago: White lawyers growing fat off tribes (4/26)
Abramoff used credit card to pay for DeLay's airfare (4/25)
Column: Good Indians or bad Indians? Hard to tell (4/25)
Money tribes gave to Abramoff ended up in Israel (4/25)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe gave $25K to GOP tax group (4/25)
Editorial: Saginaw Chippewa feud needs to end (4/25)
Novak: McCain hopes for indictment of Abramoff (4/22)
Meskwakis gave $50K to group founded by Norton (4/22)
One GOP group won't give records to McCain (4/22)
Abramoff and Scanlon 'still hounding' Sag Chips (4/22)
Coushatta Tribe sues Abramoff, Scanlon in state court (4/22)
Abramoff defends lobbying work for tribal clients (4/22)
McCain subpoenas GOP groups linked to Abramoff (4/21)
Morongo Band denies any ties to Abramoff scandal (4/21)
DeLay used skybox funded by Abramoff's tribes (4/21)
Democrats to introduce bill to address Abramoff (4/21)
House Republicans offer ethics probe into DeLay (4/21)
Congressman tied to Abramoff failed to pay tribal tab (4/20)
Hastert pays tab for fundraiser at Abramoff restaurant (4/20)
Vitter, Hastert never paid Abramoff restaurant tab (4/19)
DeLay denies wrongdoing over Abramoff funded trips (4/19)
Opinion: McCain right to probe fleecing of tribes (4/19)
Recall papers certified against anti-Abramoff leaders (4/19)
Time: FBI to depose ex-associate of Abramoff's (4/18)
Foe of Texas tribes denies knowing Abramoff (4/18)
Ties to Abramoff an issue for Ralph Reed campaign (4/18)
Opinion: Lobbying scandal cloaked in religion (4/18)
Sen. Burns: Support for Montana tribes is known (4/18)
Editorial: Burns should have said no to Abramoff (4/18)
Pombo asked again to investigate Abramoff (4/15)
DeLay's ties to Abramoff a focus of federal probe (4/13)
Opinion: Abramoff is DeLay's Monica Lewinsky (4/13)
'Where the hell were you when we were poor?' (4/12)
Column: Treatment of tribes by lobbyists an outrage (4/12)
Newsweek: Abramoff offered to expose DeLay, others (4/11)
Assessment: The Abramoff/DeLay scandal (4/8)
Salon: Abramoff sold DeLay to desperate tribes (4/8)
Opinion: When ripping off Indians is acceptable (4/8)
GOP rallies to DeLay's defense amid new reports (4/7)
Abramoff helped secure funding for 3rd DeLay trip (4/6)
Burns says Michigan delegation backed school funds (04/04)
Editorial: Burns has chance to restore Indian funds (03/31)
GOP letter to Norton came after Abramoff sent checks (03/30)
Abramoff previously questioned over billing (03/30)
Ralph Reed says he too was 'deceived' by Abramoff (3/28)
Both sides fighting tribe have ties to Abramoff (03/25)
Column: Abramoff, Scanlon had help scamming tribes (03/22)
Jena Choctaw Band back in spotlight in Louisiana (03/22)
McCain plans to finish hearings on lobbyist scandal (3/21)
Opinion: Ralph Reed did work for casinos, not the Lord (3/21)
Coushatta Tribe hires law firm linked to DeLay (3/18)
Chairman: Montana tribes support Senator Burns (3/18)
Senate Finance Committee investigates Abramoff (3/17)
Vitter won't say why he OKed Abramoff fundraiser (3/17)
DeLay denies wrongdoing on trip linked to tribe (3/16)
Vitter responsible for anti-tribal appropriations rider (3/16)
Hayworth predicts DeLay will weather ethics storm (3/15)
Column: Strange bedfellows in Abramoff scandal (3/15)
Editorial: Investigate overseas trip paid by Abramoff (3/15)
Griles fought casino opposed by Abramoff client (3/14)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (3/14)
Tribe, gambling firm funded DeLay's overseas trip (3/14)
Editorial: Facts don't look good for Senator Burns (3/14)
DOI investigates contacts with group started by Norton (03/03)
Vitter denies helping Abramoff's former client (03/02)
Report: Former Norton organization subpoenaed (3/1)
Tribes gave $175K to group founded by Norton (2/28)
Tribal lobbying scandal hurts ex-Abramoff firm (02/17)
Tigua Tribe settles dispute over Abramoff fees (02/14)
Sag Chip recall targets anti-Abramoff tribal leaders (2/11)
Editorial: Washington 'sharks' ate tribe for lunch (02/08)
Donations funneled through Abramoff unaccounted (2/7)
Commentary: Tighten up lobbyist rules (01/18)
Commentary: Tribal lobbyist scandal is familiar tale (1/13)
Probe sought of Congressman linked to lobbyists (01/07)
Editorial: 'Shameful' dealings of Washington lobbyists (1/6)
Abramoff and Scanlon scandal won't go away (12/20)
Editorial: Ney's judgment 'clouded' by Abramoff (12/20)
Ney to meet with ethics panel over Abramoff ties (12/16)
Congressman subject of inquiry for Abramoff ties (12/15)
Lobbyists say Abramoff probe has run its course (12/13)
Congressman questioned during lobbyist probe (12/10)
Editorial: Ney not exactly a victim in Tigua case (12/03)
Abramoff 'totally in bed' with anti-gaming forces (11/29)
McCain eyes reform of lobbying disclosure laws (11/24)
Order freezing Abramoff's assets lifted in lawsuit (11/24)
Mississippi Choctaw lawyer referred Abramoff (11/22)
Former Ney chief of staff worked with Abramoff (11/19)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Coushatta Tribe sues ex-lobbyists for $32M (11/17)
Tigua Tribe to testify at Senate lobbying hearing (11/16)
Abramoff's assets frozen in employee case (11/15)
Vitter 'conned' by group opposing tribe (11/12)
GOP critic of McCain received tribal donations (11/08)
Author: Abramoff, Scanlon likely to be indicted (10/28)
Senate panel asks Coushatta Tribe for tapes (10/27)
Ralph Reed paid $4.1M to oppose tribes (10/26)
Two more lawyers linked to lobbyist scandal (10/21)
Online Chat: Abramoff 'close friend' of DeLay (10/20)
Christian Coalition still after Poarch Creeks (10/19)
Congressman denies knowing of tribe's backing (10/18)
Opinion: Lobbyist scandal goes all the way to Bush (10/15)
Congressman's anti-gaming push backed by tribe (10/15)
Tigua Tribe mum on Washington lobbyists (10/12)
House Resources asked to investigate lobbyists (10/8)
Another tribe considers lawsuit against lobbyists (10/7)
DeLay rebuked yet again for flaunting influence (10/7)
Coushatta Tribe to sue lobbyists for $32M (10/4)
Lobbyist scandal reaches to top levels of GOP (10/4)
Choctaw Tribe's lobbying documents kept secret (10/4)
Documents detail lobbyists' role in tribal elections (10/4)
Salon: Tom DeLay allowed tribes to be 'slickered' (10/4)
Pueblo leader says lobbyists' high fees not worth it (10/1)
Texas AG asked to investigate Abramoff, Scanlon (10/1)
DeLay rebuked for trading influence on House floor (10/1)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Abramoff mum at hearing while Scanlon a no-show (9/30)
Column: Lobbyists lurked in 'cesspool of greed' (9/30)
Washington lobbyists called before Senate panel (9/29)
Editorial: Send lobbyist hogs to the slaughterhouse (9/29)
Tigua Tribe outraged over being played as 'moronic' (9/28)
Tribes told to donate to lobbyists' foundation (9/28)
Editorial: Actions of tribal lobbyists 'loathsome' (9/28)
Lobbyists worked for, against 'moronic' Tiguas (9/27)
Group opposing Poarch Creeks tied to tribal lobbyists (09/16)
Coushattas used lobbyists to spy on tribes, critics (09/13)
Bush strategist now knows source of tribal funds (09/01)
Bush strategist claims no knowledge of funds (8/31)
Bush-GOP strategist admits taking tribal money (8/30)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Coushatta member threatened over recall effort (08/09)
Coushatta Tribe's lobbying records subpoenaed (07/23)
Hearing on high lobbying fees expected in September (07/16)
GOP strategist denies secretly taking tribal money (7/15)
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 new lobbyist (12/13)