Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 8:13:16 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Court Tosses Conviction in Abramoff Affair

Posted Jun 18, 08 4:12 PM CDT in Crime & Courts,  Politics 

(Newser) – A key conviction in the Jack Abramoff scandal was reversed today, as a federal appeals court ruled that the Justice Department overreached in its prosecution of David Safavian. The onetime chief of staff at GSA provided inside information on government-owned properties to Abramoff; he was convicted of lying to multiple inquisitors about his relationship with the disgraced lobbyist, the AP reports.

But today’s ruling said the case against Safavian was faulty, in part because he wasn’t required to volunteer information. It also faulted the judge for blocking expert testimony on his behalf. Justice Department officials must now decide whether to pursue a new case. Safavian was the only person in the scandal to go to trial instead of accepting a plea, and he had faced 18 months behind bars.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Stevens Yields the Floor a Last Time

    Nov 20, 08 1:03 PM CST
    Stevens Yields the Floor a Last Time Ted Stevens said goodbye to colleagues in the US Senate today, ending a 40-year career after losing his Alaska re-election bid and being convicted on corruption charges, the Anchorage Daily News reports. “I really must pinch myself to fully understand that I’m privileged to speak on the floor of the United States Senate,” Stevens said, surrounded by family, friends, and staff. More »

  • Alaskans Give Stevens Hero's Welcome

    Oct 30, 08 11:45 AM CDT
    Alaskans Give Stevens Hero's Welcome Sen. Ted Stevens returned home to Alaska to jump-start his reelection campaign yesterday, proclaiming his innocence and asking for the votes of 500 supporters at a rally. “Like most people, I'm not perfect,” said the 84-year-old Republican, who plans to appeal his conviction on federal corruption charges, the Anchorage Daily News reports.
    More »

  • Joe Cool Killer Put Away for Life

    Oct 14, 08 2:54 PM CDT
    Joe Cool Killer Put Away for Life A federal judge sentenced Kirby Archer to five life sentences today after he pleaded guilty to killing four people aboard a charter boat off Miami’s coast last year. The 36-year-old was ratted out by accomplice Guillermo Zarabozo, who faces a retrial, reports the Miami Herald. Prosecutors say the convict, facing arrest for stealing $92,000 from Wal-Mart, planned to flee to Cuba on the Joe Cool.
    More »

  • OJ Seeks New Trial

    Oct 11, 08 5:12 AM CDT
    OJ Seeks New Trial OJ Simpson's lawyers have given seven reasons why he should get a new trial in their motion seeking an appeal, reports the Las Vegas Sun. They cite judicial errors and insufficient evidence in Simpson's conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping, and argue that his rights may have been violated when African-Americans were excluded from the pool of jurors.
    More »

  • Pal: Convicted OJ 'in Shock'

    Oct 6, 08 10:40 AM CDT
    Pal: Convicted OJ 'in Shock' OJ Simpson is “in shock” over his conviction and the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars. “I can't believe I'm in here for this nothing incident,” he said. “He's strong. He's just in shock,” a friend told the New York Daily News. “His first concern is his kids,” who will receive Simpson’s $25,000-a-month NFL pension. More »

Jack Abramoff leaves Federal Court in Washington in this Jan. 3, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
In this May 24, 2006 file photo, David Safavian.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)
Former Bush administration official David Safavian leaves U.S. District Court in Washington in this Oct. 27, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Tags

conviction • Jack Abramoff


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »