Former Bush administration official David Safavian is the fifth person to be convicted or plead guilty to charges in a public corruption investigation that began with lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Those convicted so far are:
_ Abramoff, who pleaded guilty in January to mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion charges in connection with his lobbying work.
_ Tony Rudy, lobbyist and one-time aide to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who pleaded guilty in March to conspiring with Abramoff.
_ Safavian, who was found guilty Tuesday of covering up his dealings with Abramoff while a General Services Administration official.
_ Michael Scanlon, a former Abramoff business partner and DeLay aide, who pleaded guilty in November to conspiring to bribe public officials in connection with his lobbying work on behalf of Indian tribes and casino issues.
_ Neil Volz, an Abramoff partner who pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to corrupt his former boss, Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, and others with trips and other aid.
Among other government officials _ all of whom have denied any wrongdoing _ under scrutiny for their ties to Abramoff are:
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_ Ney, R-Ohio, who was listed as Representative No. 1 in the agreements in which Abramoff and the others pleaded guilty. Ney was in the traveling party on the golfing trip to Scotland that was at the heart of the case against Safavian.
_ DeLay, who is under indictment in Texas on charges of campaign finance improprieties. Prosecutors are looking at whether DeLay, R-Texas, who resigned from Congress on June 9, filed false public reports to disguise the source and size of political donations, travel and other gifts he received from special interests, including some with ties to Abramoff.
_ Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who received about $150,000 in donations from Abramoff, his clients and his associates. Burns has since returned the money or given it to charity. Two former Burns aides worked for Abramoff and two current aides took a trip to the 2001 Super Bowl on the lobbyist's jet.
_ Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., who accepted campaign money from Abramoff and used the lobbyist's luxury sports box for a fundraiser without initially reporting it. Doolittle's wife and one of his former aides also worked for the lobbyist.
_ Steven Griles, a former deputy interior secretary, who senators and a former colleague said gave preferential treatment to Abramoff and his Indian tribe clients who were seeking approval for casinos.
Others whose relationships with Abramoff have raised questions include:
_ Rep. Charles Taylor, R-N.C., whose banking activities and links to Abramoff have prompted calls for a House ethics investigation.
_ Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who has defended his support of Indian tribes represented by Abramoff. Reid collected nearly $68,000 in donations from Abramoff's firm, lobbying partners and clients during the same periods the senator was fighting legislation opposed by the tribes and sending letters to the Bush administration in support of tribal projects.
_ Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who returned $67,000 in donations that he received from Abramoff's associates and clients during the same period he pushed for projects sought by Indian tribes. Dorgan also used Abramoff's sports arena skybox in March 2001 to raise money, letting one of Abramoff's tribes foot the bill. Dorgan recently reimbursed that money, saying he didn't know it was leased by Abramoff.
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