Jury returning Thursday in case stemming from Abramoff investigation
(Washington-AP) June 14, 2006 - Jurors will return Thursday morning to continue deliberating the fate of a former Bush administration official.
David Safavian allegedly lied to cover up how he helped disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff buy or lease two government properties. Safavian used to be the chief of staff at the General Services Administration, and was a business partner with Abramoff.
A Washington jury deliberated about five hours Wednesday without a verdict. Early on, the judge agreed with prosecutors and dismissed a juror who apparently talked to her father about the case.
Abramoff, a one-time Republican influence-peddler, has pleaded guilty to crimes in federal courts in Washington and Miami.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5032626The complaint, filed by the FBI, alleges that David H. Safavian, 38, a White House procurement official involved until last week in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, made repeated false statements to government officials and investigators about a golf trip with Abramoff to Scotland in 2002.
It also contends that he concealed his efforts to help Abramoff acquire control of two federally managed properties in the Washington area. Abramoff is the person identified as "Lobbyist A" in a 13-page affidavit unsealed in court, according to sources knowledgeable about the probe.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/19/AR2005091901859.html