Abramoff Scandal Spreads

Well Maryland is getting into the act with the Abramoff scandal. Our Governor, Republican Governor, Bob Ehrlich, is returning money he received from the Abramoffs. The following message was sent by the Maryland Democratic Party

MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2006


EHRLICH MUST RETURN ABRAMOFF MONEY

“Now that Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax evasion and fraud, the only ethical course of action for Governor Ehrlich is to return Abramoff’s money,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Terry Lierman.

Ehrlich has received $16,000 directly from Jack Abramoff and his wife, Pamela. The Abramoffs each donated the legal maximum, $4,000, to Ehrlich for his 2002 campaign and for his 2006 re-election campaign.

“Governor Ehrlich has had close ties to Jack Abramoff since Ehrlich’s days as Tom DeLay’s deputy whip in the U.S. House,” said Lierman. “Although Ehrlich can’t return all the quality time he’s spent with Jack Abramoff, he can return his tainted money.”

Lierman said that Ehrlich should also instruct the Maryland Republican Party to return several thousand dollars the Party has received from the Abramoffs.

So far this year, many members of Congress have returned Abramoff’s money, including U.S. Senators Max Baucus (MT), Conrad Burns (MT), and Byron Dorgan (ND), and U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (NH).

See also Julia at Hullabaloo for a link to a WaPo article on Ehrlic's difficulties.