Mark Zachares
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Abramoff Scandal |
|
Mark Zachares is a former Congressional aide to Rep. Don Young (R-AK) and lobbyist who pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyist Jack Abramoff[1] in return for using his position in Congress to advance Abramoff's interests.[2]
| Pled Guilty | Sentenced | Sentence | Started Serving | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2007 |
Zachares became acquainted with Jack Abramoff while labor secretary for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas; Abramoff was a lobbyist for business interests of the U.S. protectorate. The Anchorage Daily News described their relationship developing in the following way
Abramoff was the commonwealth’s lobbyist. According to the Saipan Tribune, he was paid at least $11 million from 1994 to 2001 to prevent Congress from interfering with local regulation of wage rates and immigration - the two issues under Zachares’ authority. “Beginning in the mid-1990s, Zachares came to have extensive contact with Abramoff during Zachares’ tenure as an official of the CNMI, and Zachares and Abramoff became personal and professional acquaintances,” the charging document said."[3]
Zachares received $10,000 from Abramoff's false charity, Capital Athletic Foundation in two payments. The first came while he was secretary, the second after leaving the job.
Starting after the 2000 election and a number of months afterwards, Abramoff attempted to convince the White House to hire Mark Zachares as the head of the Interior Department's Office of Insular Affairs.[3]
In 2002 Abarmoff helped Zachares secure a job as legal counsel to its Oversight & Investigations subcommittee, then became staff director for the Coast Guard & Maritime subcommittee -- both overseen by Rep. Don Young, who served on the committee that oversees insular affairs, the House Resources Committee. "While doing favors for Abramoff from his positions on Young’s committee, Zachares was rewarded with all kinds of favors, from being invited on a $160,000 golf trip to Scotland to use of Abramoff’s luxury box seats at the MCI Center in Washington where the Wizards of the NBA and Capitals of the NHL play."[3], $30,000 worth of sporting and event tickets from Abramoff, free meals and drinks at Signatures Restaurant, and free rounds of golf at Woodmore Country Club, where Abramoff was a member.[2]
Zachares, as part of his plea bargain, agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, who, in exchange, would also refrain from prosecuting Zachares' wife, Cynthia.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Susan Schmidt; James V. Grimaldi. "Former Hill Staffer to Plead Guilty in Abramoff Probe", Washington Post, April 24, 2007, p. A04.
- ^ a b Docket for Mark Zachares (pdf), April 23, 2007
- ^ a b c RIchard Mauer. "Young aide's link to Abramoff sheds new light on Marianas bill", Anchorage Daily News, April 29, 2007.
- ^ "Ex-Hill aide pleads guilty in Abramoff scandal", AP, April 24, 2007.
