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Abramoff tentacles extend far
MARIANA ISLANDS - BUSH SUPPORTED ABRAMOFF CLIENT
INTERESTS, RECEIVED DONATIONS: Abramoff was hired by the Saipan
Garment Manufacturers Association and the Northern Mariana Islands to
"stop legislation aimed at cracking down on sweatshops and sex shops in
the American territory." In 1997, "Abramoff charged the Marianas for
getting then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush to write a letter expressing
support for the Pacific territory's school choice proposal, his billing
records show. Š Abramoff and his wife each gave $5,000 to Bush's 2000
recount fund and the maximum $1,000 to his 2000 campaign. By mid-2003,
Abramoff had raised at least $100,000 for Bush's re-election campaign,
becoming one of Bush's famed 'pioneers.' Š Money also flowed from the
Marianas to Bush's re-election campaign: It took in at least $36,000 from
island donors, much of it from members of the Tan family, whose clothing
factories were a routine stop for lawmakers and their aides visiting the
islands on Abramoff-organized trips." [ABC,
4/6/05;
AP,
5/7/05]
Thanks to Bonnie for providing this information.
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