As the Abramoff scandal continues to unfold, more and more lawmakers are under scrutiny for their dealings with the ex-superlobbyist . Today, Utah State Congressman Chris Cannon has announced that he will return $2,000 in contributions from Abramoff.
Up until Abramoff’s plea agreement, Cannon had refused to return the money.
There is a catch to Cannon’s recent move, however:
Cannon won’t be refunding $7,000 in contributions from Indian tribes that employed Abramoff. “There’s just no reason to do that,” according to Cannon’s chief of staff, Joe Hunter. Abramoff had dmit to tricking American Indian tribes out of millions in lobbying fees and sending gifts to members of Congress in exchange for official favors. He pleaded guilty to felony counts of conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion, the result of a probe that reportedly could implicate as many as 20 members of Congress.
Cannon was under fire for months by Utah Dems to return the money, as many other congressman had done. Cannon’s refusal to do so raised questions about his moral values and ethics.
Interestingly, Cannon’s former chief of staff, David Safavian, is a former Abramoff associate who is also facing federal charges for lying to investigators. Cannon has returned over $2,700 received in contributions from Safavian.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 