Brian Ross Crosses Mickey Mouse
Because of the report from ABC’s investigative unit that House Speaker Dennis Hastert has attracted interest from federal investigators in the Abramoff matter, ABC’s corporate parent is expecting headaches as it lobbies on unrelated legislation. In particular, Disney was pushing to roll back a provision in a recent tax bill that they project costs movie studios $180 million* over a decade. (WSJ)
Burns Faces Questions on Ties to Abramoff
The “Eastern liberal press” is to blame for his troubles, says Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT). Some of his former aides worked for Abramoff and two current aides took a trip to the 2001 Super Bowl in the lobbyist’s jet. The senator received about $150,000 in donations from Abramoff, his clients and his associates, which he has since returned or given to charity. (AP)
NYTimes: FBI’s Hill Seizure Was Legal, But Still Questionable
The FBI was within legal bounds to request, receive and execute a warrant to search Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) Capitol office, that paper finds. But still, it’s evidence of a runaway executive branch. (NYTimes)
FBI wants Internet records kept 2 years: source
The Federal Bureau of Investigation wants U.S. Internet providers to retain Web address records for up to two years to aid investigations into terrorism and pornography, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday. (AP, NYT)
All DeLay’s Children
The Hammer left many nails behind among the lower tier of House GOP leadership members, committee chairmen, party spokesmen and fundraisers he propelled to power. These are the people who will shape the GOP’s agenda for years to come. Here are five disciples who are carrying on DeLay’s legacy…. (The Nation)
WPost’s Milbank: Safavian Trial is About Golf
Dana Milbank reports on the trial of former White House official David Safavian, and finds it is shot through with holes — 18, to be exact. “[D]on’t be surprised if, in the coming days, a golf cart bursts into Courtroom 29A of the federal courthouse and a pair of Scotsmen ask if they can play through.” (WPost)
Senate Investigator: Safavian Changed His Tune
Prosecutors rested their case Thursday, after hearing from an investigator who testified that Safavian told him he had taken a free ride on Abramoff, but later said he hadn’t. (AP)
Valerie Plame Switches Publishers
Offered $2.5 million by Crown, she has instead entered into negotiations with Simon & Schuster. (NYTimes)
Lawyers for ex-Ill. gov. seek new trial
Lawyers for former Gov. George Ryan asked for a new trial Thursday, saying juror misconduct tainted Ryan’s conviction for racketeering and fraud. Ryan’s defense team filed 70 pages of court papers, rehashing many of the same legal arguments that arose after the April 18 verdict, when both sides spent two weeks discussing jurors’ behavior. (AP)
Blogs Question AP’s Coverage of Reid
Editor and Publisher develops an interest in the controversy over John Solomon’s troubled boxing coverage. (E&P)
FEC Adopts Hands-Off Stance on ‘527’ Spending
The same rules that allowed independent “527” groups such as America Coming Together and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to pump more than $400 million into the 2004 election campaigns will remain in place for now, the Federal Election Commission announced yesterday, a decision that invites even larger sums to be spent influencing races this year and in 2008. (WaPo, AP)
Coin dealer awaits federal sentence
A coin dealer and prominent GOP fundraiser who pleaded guilty to breaking federal campaign finance law has more legal troubles ahead — a trial about the state’s ill-fated $50 million investment in rare coins. Tom Noe, once a powerful political figure who also raised money for Ohio Republicans, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges that he illegally funneled about $45,000 to President Bush’s re-election campaign. The plea comes about three months before Noe, 51, is scheduled to go to trial in state court to face accusations he stole at least $1 million while managing an unusual investment in rare coins for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. (AP)
Ex-Ohio official charged in kickback case
The former chief financial officer for the Ohio workers’ compensation fund was charged Thursday with taking kickbacks from brokers and others who wanted lucrative investment contracts with the agency. Terry Gasper, 59, was accused of accepting money, college tuition and stays at a Florida condo. The federal and state racketeering and money-laundering charges represent the latest development in a scandal that has upended Ohio politics and led to ethics charges against Republican Gov. Bob Taft. (AP)
*Update: We mistakenly wrote that the tax bill would cost movie studios $180 billion.
