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Abramoff on Lobbying, Gifts, and Campaign Contributions
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
Robert Wechsler
A good followup to my
last blog post, on Lawrence Lessig's book, is what
Jack Abramoff said on 60 Minutes this Sunday, pushing his new
book Capitol
Punishment.
America's most infamous lobbyist went almost overboard condemning both himself and the system by which lobbyists get what they want out of Congress. He said that he would make job offers to congressional aides, and once he did so, "We owned them. Every request we make, they're going to do it." Former Rep. Bob Ney's chief of staff said on the show that he had a "corrupt relationship" with Abramoff, who offered him a job at a hockey game. Ney, who also did time (the only member related to this scandal to do so) said that he and Abramoff were "involved in a culture of corruption together."
Abramoff's lobbying firm spent $1 million a year on tickets for elected officials and their staffs. That was in addition to trips on private jets, golf outings in Scotland, and free meals and drinks at his own restaurant.
But it was less about money than it was about relationships. Abramoff had personal relationships with staffs in many congressional offices. He wooed them as much as a guy woos a woman at restaurants and on vacations. The money spent may impress the target, but it's the relationship that is the goal.
Abramoff called the ethics reforms aimed at his scandal a "faux reform effort," just a "tweaking" of the system. He said that "making a gift to someone who is making decisions for the public" is bribery, and that includes campaign contributions. He noted that now a lobbyist can't take a member to lunch, but he can take him to a fundraising event, hand him $25,000, and gain the same access and interaction.
He said the only reform that will work is to prohibit representatives and their staff from ever becoming lobbyists. We should tell them, "Go home! Don't hang around Washington!" That certainly wouldn't be enough, but it's not a bad idea.
Finally, Abramoff said that he considered himself one of the most moral of lobbyists because he gave 80% of his earnings to charity. It is amazing how often charitable donations are part of government corruption, one way or another.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
203-859-1959
America's most infamous lobbyist went almost overboard condemning both himself and the system by which lobbyists get what they want out of Congress. He said that he would make job offers to congressional aides, and once he did so, "We owned them. Every request we make, they're going to do it." Former Rep. Bob Ney's chief of staff said on the show that he had a "corrupt relationship" with Abramoff, who offered him a job at a hockey game. Ney, who also did time (the only member related to this scandal to do so) said that he and Abramoff were "involved in a culture of corruption together."
Abramoff's lobbying firm spent $1 million a year on tickets for elected officials and their staffs. That was in addition to trips on private jets, golf outings in Scotland, and free meals and drinks at his own restaurant.
But it was less about money than it was about relationships. Abramoff had personal relationships with staffs in many congressional offices. He wooed them as much as a guy woos a woman at restaurants and on vacations. The money spent may impress the target, but it's the relationship that is the goal.
Abramoff called the ethics reforms aimed at his scandal a "faux reform effort," just a "tweaking" of the system. He said that "making a gift to someone who is making decisions for the public" is bribery, and that includes campaign contributions. He noted that now a lobbyist can't take a member to lunch, but he can take him to a fundraising event, hand him $25,000, and gain the same access and interaction.
He said the only reform that will work is to prohibit representatives and their staff from ever becoming lobbyists. We should tell them, "Go home! Don't hang around Washington!" That certainly wouldn't be enough, but it's not a bad idea.
Finally, Abramoff said that he considered himself one of the most moral of lobbyists because he gave 80% of his earnings to charity. It is amazing how often charitable donations are part of government corruption, one way or another.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
203-859-1959
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