Albaugh Sentencing Update
It appears John Albaugh, the long-time aide to former Oklahoma Congressman Ernest Istook, won’t be sentenced in federal court in Washington anytime soon for conspiring to help a lobbyist get road projects in exchange for meals and tickets to concerts and other events.
Albaugh’s attorneys filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Washington last week asking permission for Albaugh to move from South Carolina, where he’s having trouble finding work, to Colorado Springs.
In that motion, his attorneys wrote, “In light of his cooperation with the government, it does not appear that the sentencing will take place in the near future.”
Albaugh was Istook’s chief of staff for many years and his top aide on the House Appropriations Committee. According to the information to which Albaugh pleaded guilty last June, Albaugh used his position on the committee to help clients of imprisoned ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff get road projects.
Albaugh was close to Kevin Ring, a lobbyist who worked for Abramoff, who has been indicted in the far-reaching scandal. Unlike many of the lobbyists and congressional staff people who have been implicated, Ring is fighting the charges against him.
Albaugh’s original sentencing date in September was changed because of Albaugh’s cooperation. No new date was set, though the Justice Department indicated they wanted to brief the judge on the status of Albaugh’s sentencing on April 17.
Istook has said that he was interviewed by the FBI regarding Albaugh’s case but is not a target of the investigation.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or follow this blog's RSS and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment