“An indictment is just the first step in the ever-evolving scandal involving Abramoff and the GOP Leadership."

News Release - CREW: "JACK ABRAMOFF INDICTED FOR BANK FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH PURCHASE OF SUNCRUZ GAMBLING SHIPS
REP. BOB NEY DIRECTLY ASSISTED INDICTED LOBBYIST WITH PURCHASE - RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM ABRAMOFF AND KIDAN SHORTLY THEREAFTER

STAFFERS FOR REP. DELAY AND SEN. BURNS TOOK JUNKET ON SUNCRUZ

Washington, DC – Earlier today, lobbyist Jack Abramoff was indicted for bank fraud in connection with his 2000 purchase of the SunCruz gambling ships from Greek millionaire Gus Boulis. To finance the purchase, Abramoff and his partner Adam Kidan were required by Foothill Capitol to put up $23 million in cash to secure the loan. Abramoff and Kidan signed sworn documents, provided to Foothill Capitol at closing, attesting that they had paid Boulis the $23 million. In fact, Abramoff and Kidan never paid Boulis and by October 2000, Boulis was threatening to sue. In January 2001, Boulis did file suit, but in February 2001, he was murdered in an unsolved gang-land style homicide.
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Melanie Sloan, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington stated, “An indictment is just the first step in the ever-evolving scandal involving Abramoff and the GOP Leadership. Now, Rep. Ney has some explaining to do. Given that Rep. Ney knew enough about SunCruz, Adam Kidan and Gus Boulis to insert comments about them in the Congressional Record, the House ethics committee should find out what else Rep. Ney knew about Abramoff’s illegal activities.” ...