"WASHINGTON - Embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of conspiracy, tax evasion and mail fraud, agreeing to cooperate in an influence-peddling investigation that threatens powerful members of Congress.

In a heavily scripted court appearance, Abramoff agreed with U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle when she said he had engaged in a conspiracy involving "corruption of public officials." The lobbyist also agreed when she said he and others had engaged in a scheme to provide campaign contributions, trips and other items "in exchange for certain official acts."

According to the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 9 1/2 to 11 years, providing he cooperates with federal prosecutors in a wide-ranging corruption investigation that is believed to be focusing on as many as 20 members of Congress and aides.

Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher said the Justice Department will pursue the investigation "wherever it goes."

"We're going to expend the resources to make sure people know that government is not for sale," she said at a news conference...

Source: Abramoff Pleads Guilty

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"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges on Tuesday and agreed to help U.S. prosecutors in a corruption probe that could involve several top Republican congressmen, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion before a federal judge in Washington. He also will plead guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud in a separate case in Miami on Wednesday, his lawyer there said.

The long-expected plea will give prosecutors valuable ammunition as they seek to prove that DeLay of Texas, Republican Rep. Bob Ney (news, bio, voting record) of Ohio and other top lawmakers gave Abramoff and his lobbying clients favorable treatment in return for campaign contributions and other gifts.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers seeking to distance themselves from Abramoff and his clients have returned more than $200,000 in campaign contributions in recent weeks.

Abramoff faces a maximum sentence of 30 years, but under the terms of the plea deal it will be reduced to between 9 1/2 and 11 years. The sentence could be reduced even further if Abramoff cooperates fully, a Justice Department official said.

As part of the plea deal, Abramoff agreed to pay at least $25 million in restitution, as well as $1.7 million to the Internal Revenue Service for tax evasion...

Source: Yahoo.com: Abramoff pleads guilty to fraud

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Does the fall of the house that Jack built mean that the US Justice system works?

Are the United States federal and state governments for sale to the highest bidder?

Since most-if not all-of the central figures involved in this latest scandal are Republicans, does that mean that Republicans are more corrupt than Democrats?

It seems that way to me.

What do you think?