Lawyers will make opening statements today in the trial of David Safavian, a former Bush administration official and former associate of Jack Abramoff.
A jury of 12 people, 10 men and two women, was selected earlier this week. The trial is expected to last one to two weeks.
Safavian is charged with lying to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and to federal investigators about his dealings with Abramoff. The charges stem from a 2003 trip to Scotland that Abramoff organized.
Prosecutors allege Safavian's statements to the committee hindered the committee's probe into Abramoff. Part of the trip was funded with tribal money.
Safavian used to be a lobbyist for gaming tribes. He worked with Abramoff at a lobbying firm before forming his own firm. He joined the Bush administration after working for Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), who says he is oppose to all forms of gaming.
Get the Story:Lobbying Trial to Look Inside White House (AP 5/24)
pwpwd
Trial begins for ex-Bush official tied to lobbyist (Reuters 5/24) Recent Court Decisions:
April 28, 2006 | April 25, 2006 Related Stories:
Ex-Bush official, an Abramoff associate, set for trial (5/22)
Ex-White House official goes to trial on Monday (5/19)
White House official offered support to Abramoff (5/11)
Judge won't dismiss case against ex-Bush official (05/02)
Judge to read Abramoff e-mails in ex-official's case (4/28)
Former Bush official headed to trial in Abramoff probe (03/27)
Abramoff tried to exploit tribes for Washington project (02/13)
Ex-White House official fights SCIA on Abramoff (02/07)
DOJ says ex-Bush official tipped off Abramoff (01/30)
Rep. Young intervened on behalf of Abramoff (01/25)
Abramoff not in NIGA's camp but lobbyist came close (01/19)
White House pressed on contacts with Abramoff (01/18)
Abramoff pleads guilty in Washington lobbying scandal (01/04)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments in Abramoff case (12/05)
Abramoff probe looking into Congress, Bush (11/25)
Ex-White House official failed to cut lobbying ties (11/23)
Charges laid against Scanlon in tribal lobbying probe (11/21)
White House cites cooperation with Abramoff probe (11/16)
Ex-White House official claims 'set-up' over Abramoff (11/15)
Abramoff scandal takes toll on GOP, White House (10/14)
Former official pleads not guilty in Abramoff probe (10/10)
Indicted ex-Bush official worked for NIGA, tribes (10/07)
Former Bush official indicted in Abramoff probe (10/06)
Cannon denies ex-Abramoff lobbyist set agenda (09/29)
Ex-White House official sought to close GovWorks (09/27)
Ex-Bush official blames arrest on Abramoff probe (09/22)
Column: Abramoff scandal visits the White House (09/21)
Arrested Bush official has questionable ties (09/21)
White House official arrested in Abramoff probe (09/20)
Utah congressman hired ex-Abramoff associate (09/02)