Scanlon Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

© 2005 Com•Log•ic

On Friday, Michael Scanlon was charged with conspiracy, accused of plotting with Jack Abramoff to defraud the tribes and bribe government officials, including a member of Congress.

The criminal charge against Scanlon shows that the lawmaker of most interest to prosecutors is House Administration Committee Chairman Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio). Prosecutors charged that Scanlon and Abramoff conspired to bribe Ney -- referred to in the charging document as "Representative #1" -- by providing him and staff members with a golf trip to Scotland, sports tickets, meals, and campaign contributions.

Ney also placed comments in the Congressional Record favorable to Abramoff's 2000 purchase of the Florida casino boat company, SunCruz Casinos. Scanlon handled SunCruz's dealings with Ney and his chief of staff, Neil Volz, who later also went to work for Abramoff.

So, why would Ney introduce legislation concerning SunCruz a Florida company, when he is from Ohio?