Abramoff Spreading the Wealth

WE DON'T YET know what the Justice Department investigation into the dealings of Jack Abramoff will turn up, but we now have a pretty clear picture as to where his money was coming from and where it was going. Monday's Washington Post has details (with charts) on the money trail. And if there is one thing that is clear it's this: Abramoff knew where to put the money! Among the top 20 recipients were 8 members of the appropriations committee and 6 committee leaders. With the help of the Post we dig a bit deeper:

Abramoff doled out $5.35 million over a 5 year period from 1999-2004.

Where did it come from?

• The vast majority came from his dealings with cash-rich Indian tribes ($4.7 million), including $1.6 million from the Mississippi Brand of Choctaw Indians and $1.1 million from The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Where did it go?

• $3.41 million went to Republicans and $1.88 went to Democrats
• The top recipient in dollars was Conrad Burns (R-MT), Chairman of the Senate Interior appropriations subcommittee ($146,000). Hmmm, wonder if he had any influence on appropriations for Indian tribes.
• Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI), a member of House appropriations committee, received $131,000.
• J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), and John T. Doolittle (R-CA) round out the top five

Stay tuned...