White House Aides Sought “Fruits” for their Abramoff Labors

The term “fruit” was used as a code word for tickets to sporting events or concerts between Jennifer Farley, former White House Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Kevin Ring, a lobbyist for Jack Abramoff’s firm, according to today’s draft report from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

On December 12, 2002, Ms. Farley asks Mr. Ring, “Do you have any kind of fruit tonight?” Mr. Ring responds, “No games tonight.” In another e-mail exchange about an issue of interest to one of Mr. Ring’s clients, Ms. Farley stated, “Let me know about the fruit in the middle of the basket.” Mr. Ring responded, “The fruit is going to happen. Just trying to make sure it is picked on the right day.”

In another email, Ring asked: “All set to use the fruit on a new date?”

Abramoff’s team of lobbyists and White House officials often shared dinner, drinks and good stadium seats, according to the report. Records from Abramoff’s firm obtained by the committee show that his team members met with White House officials over meals or drinks 186 times, billing the firm’s clients for these meetings on 156 occasions. Many meetings took place at “expensive Washington restaurants such as Oceanaire, Bistro Bis, and the Oval Room.”

Who exactly picked up the tab? That’s still pretty hazy.

In most cases, the documents and billing records did not provide any evidence as to whether the White House officials paid for their share of the meals and drinks.
…
The Committee in many cases also could not reach any conclusion about who paid
for the meals and tickets.

However, the Committee’s 32-page report did feel compelled to note that:

The acceptance of meals and gifts by White House officials would raise concerns about White House officials’ compliance with federal laws regarding the solicitation and acceptance of gifts.

At least three White House officials refused to answer some questions from the Committee and instead invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Susan Ralston, Karl Rove’s then-personal assistant who had previously held a similar position with Abramoff, requested tickets to seven events and was given tickets to nine, including Wizards, Capitals, and Orioles games, as well as concerts by Bruce Springsteen and Andrea Bocelli, according to documents from Abramoff’s firm obtained by the committee.

When asked about that, Ralston “did not answer these questions and indicated that she would invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if compelled to respond,” according to the committee report.

Matt Kirk, the former Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, also refused to answer any questions from the committee. Documents from Abramoff’s firm obtained by the committee show he was given tickets to a Wizards game and to the NCAA basketball tournament.

Abramoff’s firm had 27 contacts with Farley. She was provided with “fruits” to three events, two Orioles games and a Yanni concert, the firm’s records show.

Ms. Farley’s attorney told the Committee that Ms. Farley would not respond to questions on the following subjects: “First, what benefits she may or may not have been offered; and, two, any communications between Ms. Farley and any member of the so-called Abramoff team.”

The report also mentions Ken Mehlman, former Bush campaign manager and RNC chairman. The firm’s documents say the Abramoff team had designated tickets for Mr. Mehlman for a U2 concert in June 2001. The Committee sent Mehlman a letter asking about the concent and it got no response.

In his interview with the Committee, Mr. Mehlman said that he did not respond to this letter on the advice of his attorney. Mr. Mehlman also indicated that he did not recall having accepted tickets from the Abramoff team to the June 15, 2001, U2 concert, and said, “My recollection is that I didn’t attend. I don’t think I attended.” He further stated: “I’ve been to a lot of concerts. I’ve been to U2 concerts. … I don’t remember going to that concert.”