Former Aide to Dick Armey Charged With Corruption, Linked to Abramoff

The former chief of staff for Voice of America has been indicted on corruption charges tied to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Horace Cooper, who is also a one-time aide to former Republican lawmaker Dick Armey, is accused of defrauding the government in exchange for repeated gifts of tickets to concerts and sport events.

The indictment charges Cooper agreed to use his position at Voice of America -- and his subsequent job at the Labor Department, to advance the interests of Abramoff and his clients.

Abramoff was sentenced in September 2008 to four years in prison on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion. Since pleading guilty in 2006, the once-powerful lobbyist has cooperated with the federal investigation of influence-peddling in Washington.