Abramoff investigators want dirt on Norton

Thursday, June 7, 2007  

Federal prosecutors are seeking to connect former Interior Secretary Gale Norton to the Jack Abramoff scandal, the Associated Press reports.

A government official told the AP that Italia Federici, a longtime associate of Norton's, may be able to provide information about the former head of the Interior Department. Federici has agreed to cooperate and will plead guilty to tax evasion and obstructing the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Norton started the Republican environmental group that Federici used to help further Abramoff's interests, according to documents filed in federal court yesterday. Norton also hired Federici to work on her failed 1996 U.S. Senate campaign.

Norton has denied any improper contacts with Federici. She also defended her former deputy, J. Steven Griles, who has since pleaded guilty to lying to the Senate committee about his relationship with Abramoff.

Get the Story:
Activist in Abramoff probe cooperates, opts to cut deal (AP 6/7)
Norton aide cops a plea (The Hill 6/7)
GOP Environmentalist Linked to Abramoff to Plead Guilty (The Washington Post 6/7)
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Former associate of Gale Norton faces charges (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 6/7)
GOP activist charged in Abramoff probe (The Los Angeles Times 6/7)
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Republican with Abramoff ties to plead guilty (Reuters 6/6)

Relevant Documents:
US v. Federici (June 6, 2007)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Abramoff Report:
“GIMME FIVE”— INVESTIGATION OF TRIBAL LOBBYING MATTERS (June 2006)

Exhibits:
Pre-2001 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | Undated | Finance

Relevant Links:
Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy - http://www.crea-online.org

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