Indianz.Com > News > Former Istook aide pleads guilty in Abramoff scandal

Former Istook aide pleads guilty in Abramoff scandal
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Filed Under: Abramoff Scandal

John Albaugh, a former aide to ex-Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Oklahoma), pleaded guilty on Monday for his role in the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Albaugh was chief of staff to Istook when Istook was chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies. According to a court document, Albaugh used his position to benefit Abramoff's clients in exchange for gifts like concert tickets and meals.

Federal prosecutors said Albaugh inserted money in the 2003 transportation appropriations bill to benefit Abramoff's clients. The House report accompanying the bill lists $900,000 for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and $1 million for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan

It's not entirely clear whether these were the Abramoff clients mentioned in the court filing. The Associated Press suggested that some northern California municipalities municipalities who were represented by an Abramoff associate named Kevin Ring were the ones who benefited.

During his time in the House, Istook was not known as a friend to Indian Country. He led efforts to take away trust land from tribes if they did not agree to pay certain state taxes and called for a moratorium on the federal recognition process.

Get the Story:
Former GOP Staff Member Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charge (The Washington Post 6/3)
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Former House aide pleads guilty in lobby scandal (AP 6/2)
Former Istook aide pleads guilty in lobbying scandal (The Oklahoman 6/2)
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Court Document:
US v. John Albaugh (June 2, 2008)