John Albaugh
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John Albaugh is a former Republican Congressional staffer who was the fourteenth person found guilty in the Jack Abramoff scandals. The former chief of staff to Rep. Ernest Istook, Albaugh plead guilty to conspiracy with Kevin A. Ring, an associate of Jack Abramoff.
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John C. Albaugh entered his plea on June 2, 2008, to a one count criminal information in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, before Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle. At sentencing on September 17, 2008, Albaugh faces up to 18-24 months in prison, and a fine up to $40,000, and supervised release following his release from prison. As part of a plea agreement, Albaugh has agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the activities of former Washington, D.C., lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others.[1]
From 1993 through 2006, Albaugh was employed by U.S. Representative Ernest Istook, eventually becoming chief of staff for Istook in 1998. In the plea agreement, Albaugh admitted that from approximately March 2002 until approximately May 2004, he corruptly accepted a stream of things of value from Kevin A. Ring, Greenberg Traurig and their clients, in exchange for agreeing to take and taking official action on their behalf.[2] Albaugh concealed his receipt of these things of value, which were in excess of the limits established by the U.S. House of Representatives, by failing to disclose the gifts on his required annual financial disclosure form filed on May 17, 2004. Albaugh left Congressional employment in 2006.[1]
In 2002 Ring sent Albaugh an email stating, "You are going to eat free off of our clients."[2]
According to plea documents, the things of value Albaugh received as part of the conspiracy included more than $4,000 worth of sporting event tickets, concert tickets (including tickets to George Strait and Tim McGraw)[3] and meals. Albaugh also admitted that, as part of this corrupt relationship, he secured from Kevin A. Ring, Abramoff, Greenberg Traurig, and their clients the use of suites at professional sporting events and facilities and catering at Signatures Restaurant, the costs of which were not timely reimbursed or disclosed as "in kind" campaign contributions in required filings with the Federal Election Commission.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Former Congressional Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption Charge", Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice, June 2, 2008.
- ^ a b Sam Hananel. "Former House aide charged in lobbying scandal", Associated Press, June 2, 2008.
- ^ Andrew Tilghman. "Former Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty in Abramoff Case", TPM Muckraker, June 2, 2008.
