Another Guilty Plea in Abramoff Probe

20 Nov 2008 // In the investigation of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a former aide to Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) has pleaded guilty to accepting an illegal gift of a trip to the World Series and admission to a strip club.

Trevor Blackann, 34, a former aide to Bond and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), pleaded guilty Thursday to making a false statement on his 2003 tax returns by failing to report thousands of dollars in illegal gifts he received from lobbyists associated with Abramoff. Blackann worked for Bond during the period in which he is accused of accepting illegal gifts.

Blackann pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard Roberts in the District of Columbia.

During his plea, Blackann admitted receiving illegal gifts from three lobbyists, including a free trip to attend the first game of the 2003 World Series, which included “admission to and entertainment at a gentleman’s club,” according to a court filing. As part of the trip, he also accepted airline travel to and from New York City, one-night accommodations in an “upscale” hotel, transportation in a chauffeured sport utility vehicle, a ticket to the game and a souvenir baseball jersey, as well as free meals and drinks.

The Justice Department estimates that Blackann’s portion of the trip cost roughly $1,000. Court documents estimate that lobbyists associated with Abramoff gave Blackann a total of at least $4,100 worth of illegal gifts in 2003.

In return, Blackann obtained a letter of support from Bond for someone seeking a political appointment to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, court documents allege. The lobbyists involved also sought federal legislation encouraging state public works agencies to rent rather than purchase construction equipment and contract only with companies that had “large dollar amounts of liability insurance coverage.” The lobbyists’ clients included an equipment rental company that would directly benefit from such legislation.

The case is part of the ongoing investigation into the lobbying activities of Abramoff and his associates. Fifteen individuals, including Abramoff, who is serving time in jail for his role, have pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial as a result of the investigation.