As noted before in this space, one of the ways journalism has changed in recent years is the shifting of the most important information from the beginning of a story to the very end. This update on the ever-expanding Jack Abramoff scandal waits until the very last two grafs to make an important, if indirect point.
First, credit where credit's due: there's lots and lots of solid reporting and juicy tidbits here, including how Abramoff put wives of GOP bigwigs (including Tom DeLay! Yea!) on monthly retainers to do things like answer phone calls for a fundraiser that ended up cancelled, and in Mrs. DeLay's case, determining the favorite charity of every member of Congress. (Can you say, "busy work?")
The article also makes clear that "plea deals have become more likely" as Justice Department investigators enter a "highly active" phase in their investigation of "at least half a dozen members of Congress."
So it was with great interest that I read between the lines of these two last grafs:
The Justice Department investigation is also looking into Abramoff's influence among executive branch officials. Sources said prosecutors are continuing to seek information about Abramoff's dealings with then-Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles, including a job offer from the lobbyist at a time when he was seeking department actions on behalf of his tribal clients.
The former top procurement official in the Bush administration, David H. Safavian, has already been charged with lying and obstruction of justice in connection with the Abramoff investigation. Safavian, who traveled to Scotland with Ney on a golf outing arranged by Abramoff, is accused of concealing from federal investigators that Abramoff was seeking to do business with the General Services Administration at the time of the golf trip. Safavian was then GSA chief of staff.
What does David Safavian know, and who in the White House does he know it about? Can you see the invisible words after the first sentence in the second graf? The full sentence should read:
The former top procurement official in the Bush administration, David H. Safavian, has already been charged with lying and obstruction of justice in connection with the Abramoff investigation and is currently cooperating with prosecutors.
Comments