another corrupt repug going down

Ex-White House official to be sentenced

WASHINGTON - Sentencing for former Bush administration official David Safavian was set for Friday, another election-season reminder of the Jack Abramoff scandal.

It was the first jury conviction handed down in the Abramoff case, and prosecutors sought a three-year prison sentence. Safavian says that would be unfair and is asking for house arrest or probation.

Abramoff is cooperating with an FBI corruption investigation. He has admitted using gifts to influence lawmakers.

The investigation snared its first congressman this month when Rep. Bob Ney R-Ohio, pleaded guilty to covering up expensive gifts and trips from Abramoff. He admitted taking trips, tickets, meals and campaign donations from Abramoff in return for official actions on behalf of his clients.

Two former aides to Tom DeLay, the former House majority leader, have also pleaded guilty, as has Ney's former chief of staff.

Additionally, Roger Stillwell, a former Interior Department official, pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor charge for not reporting tickets he received from Abramoff.

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