Golf Junket Photos of Abramoff, Rep. Bob Ney, and Other Criminals
Submitted by David Edwards on Thu, 2006-06-01 12:09. ::
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Earlier this week, during the trial of David Safavian, photos were released from one of the Abramoff-sponsored golf trips to Scotland. David Safavian is charged with lying to investigators about his relationship with Jack Abramoff.
The photos show Abramoff with some of his "Champions", a term he used to describe people in government that could provide information and help for Abramoff's clients. Champions were showered with gifts and trips like the golf trip seen in the released photos.
In the group photo above, Abramoff's Champions are shown prior to boarding the Gulf Stream jet. Neil Vols, pictured on the far left, was chief of staff to Bob Ney. He is considered a star witness for the prosecution. Standing next to Vols is Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition. Congressman Bob Ney is 4th from the left. He is the short guy wearing the grey shirt. Jack Abramoff is on the far right.
This video is from MSNBC's Countdown. David Shuster explains the story behind the photos and the lengths Abramoff would go to in providing favors for his Champions. Shuster also has an update on the status of Safavian trial.