No, not Paris and Nicole.
Italia and Jack. As in Italia Federici, president (still!) of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy (CREA), and Jack Abramoff.
Federici has entered a guilty plea to one count of income tax evasion and one count of obstructing the U.S. Senate’s investigation into Jack A. Abramoff’s corruption activities. CREA is a non-profit organization which was granted Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(4) status in 2000.
Federici introduced Abramoff to J. Stephen Griles, who later became deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). Federici was the “go-between” for Abramoff and Griles with respect to communications about Abramoff’s potential client concerns with the DOI. She later admitted lying to the Senate about her role in the relationship.
Federici also admitted to willfully evading her individual income taxes for the calendar years 2001 through 2003. She failed to segregate her personal finances from CREA and failed to maintain proper financial books, records, and payroll. Federici also admitted that she withdrew cash from CREA’s bank account through ATM and teller transactions for personal use. The income tax charges were raised after suspicions arose about CREA’s financial dealings during a Senate hearing.
For his role in the scandal, Griles has pleaded guilty to obstructing the Senate committee’s Abramoff investigation. He will be sentenced in two weeks.
Abramoff is now serving a 70-month prison sentence for conspiracy and fraud charges. He has also pleaded guilty to additional charges of corruption, fraud, conspiracy and tax charges.
Federici faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and mandatory restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for November 16, 2007.
