Another Abramoff Crook Goes Down

The Abramoff scandal keeps grinding on, taking Republican after Republican along for the ride....down. Roger Stillwell is the latest casualty of the Republican culture of corruption. He pled guilty to accepting bribes from Jack Abramoff in the form of tickets to football games and concerts. Stillwell was an official with the federal department dealing with insular (island) affairs. Abramoff was representing the Mariana Islands and seeking legislation allowing them to continue their sweatshops.

Buying off Stillwell got Abramoff the influence he needed to represent his client. It's called a quid pro quo and is why this sort of corruption is illegal.

"He recognizes that his decision on how to treat gifts from Mr. Abramoff was inexcusable. For that he has deep remorse," defense attorney Justin P. Murphy said in a prepared statement. Murphy said Stillwell had been friends with Abramoff and his family for years before he took the Interior Department job.