Abramoff Scandal
Prosecution nears end of case against ex-official


Federal prosecutors intend to call two more witnesses before resting their case against former Bush administration official David Safavian, Government Executive News reports.

Safavian is on trial for allegedly lying about his ties to Jack Abramoff. General Services Administration officials said Safavian hid information about Abramoff before going on an August 2002 trip to Scotland.

Had the GSA known the information, it would not have allowed Safavian to accept free airfare for the trip, one GSA ethics official testified. Abramoff was seeking to land two GSA properties and sought assistance from Safavian at the time.

A Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigator is set to testify. Safavian is alleged to have lied to the committee and obstructed the committee's investigation into Abramoff, who used tribal money to partly fund the trip.

After the prosecution rests, Safavian's lawyer will present his defense. The lawyer has said that some people she asked to testify plan to invoke their right not to self-incriminate.

Get the Story:
Prosecution nears end of case against Safavian (Government Executive News 5/31)
Safavian said not forthcoming on lobbyist (AP 5/31)
Ethics Officer Testifies in Safavian Trial (AP 5/31)

Recent Court Decisions US v. Safavian:
May 23, 2005 | April 28, 2006 | April 25, 2006

Court Documents US v Volz:
Charge of Information | Guilty Plea | Factual Proffer

Related Stories:
Former staffer, an Abramoff associate, testifies (5/31)
Team Abramoff member to testify at official's trial (5/30)
Sen. Reid met with two of Abramoff's tribal clients (5/30)
Ex-Bush official on trial for Abramoff connections (5/25)
Opening statements set for ex-Bush official's trial (5/24)
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)
Latest Abramoff plea targets Republican Congressman (05/09)
Another guilty plea from Team Abramoff (5/8)
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)