Former Istook Aide John Albaugh To Testify

Chris Casteel of The Oklahoman reports from Washington that the one-time top aide to a former Oklahoma congressman is expected to be a key witness in a federal trial scheduled to begin this week that will explore the ways lobbyists try to influence public officials and how that influence can pay off.

John Albaugh, who was formerly U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook’s chief of staff and has already pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy charge, is expected to testify he received numerous tickets and meals from lobbyist Kevin Ring while helping Ring’s clients get funding for road projects.

Read Casteel's story at www.newsok.com.

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Istook Emphasizes He's Not A Probe Target

By Chris Casteel/The Oklahoman, Blogging From Washington ~ Former Oklahoma Congressman Ernest Istook reiterated that he was told by the FBI that he’s not a target in the public corruption investigation that snared his top aide.

In an e-mail exchange, Istook, a Republican who represented the Oklahoma City area for 14 years in the U.S. House, declined to answer whether he had received a subpoena to testify before a grand jury — or whether he had testified before a grand jury.

He did say, again, that he had spoken to the FBI and that he was “shocked and surprised” about (John) Albaugh, who worked for him nearly as long as Istook was in Congress. And he said he was “cooperating with them fully.”

Albaugh pleaded guilty Monday to a single conspiracy charge. He admitted that he helped get road project money for a lobbyist’s clients while the lobbyist was treating him to meals at fancy restaurants and to tickets to sporting events and concerts.

In the year that the acts took place, Albaugh was making nearly $145,000 a year.

According to the Justice Department information about the conspiracy, Albaugh took about $4,000 worth of meals and tickets. But not all of the tickets went to Albaugh alone. Istook benefited from the use of luxury suites at a downtown Washington arena — for an American idols concert — and at the Maryland stadium where the Washington Redskins play. The suites were used for campaign fundraisers for Istook.

The suites were controlled by former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is now serving time in prison for conspiracies in Florida and Washington DC. Istook’s campaign didn’t reimburse Abramoff’s company for the suites until the Abramoff scandal exploded in 2006.

Albaugh’s case is part of the public corruption probe that began with Abramoff and has now snared 13 lobbyists and former public officials.

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John Albaugh Pleads Guilty

John Albaugh, 41, who was former Congressman Ernest Istook's chief of staff and a top aide on the House Appropriations subcommittee that had control over road projects, said in federal court in Washington he is guilty of conspiracy because he helped secure millions for road projects sought by clients of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's firm.

Albaugh, who now lives and works in South Carolina, is cooperating in the ongoing investigation into the Abramoff scandal and is expected to provide testimony against others.

He faces 18 and 24 months in prison but could get that reduced if he helps the government with its case. Sentencing is set for September 17th.

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John Albaugh Faces Conspiracy Charge

WASHINGTON (From News Services) ~ John Albaugh, former chief of staff to former Congressman Ernest Istook, is being charged with conspiracy to defraud the House of Representatives in a lobbying scandal.

Albaugh is accused of accepting gifts in return for official favors. The charge is outlined in a criminal information filed in federal court late Friday. Such documents are normally entered as part of a plea deal. A court hearing is scheduled today, when details may be made public.

The charges come as part of the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Albaugh is accused of accepting meals, sports and concert tickets, and other perks from lobbyists in exchange for official favors in the court document.

Such documents are normally entered as part of a plea deal.

Albaugh served eight years as top aide for Istook, who left Congress to run for governor in 2006. Istook lost and is now a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington.

Istook, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, accepted tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Abramoff and his associates. Referred to as "Representative 4" in court documents, he also used the lobbyist's skybox tickets for concerts. He later donated the campaign money to charity and paid for the seats.

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