House Committee Pressing Abramoff Investigation

This looks like the real deal.

The House Government Reform Committee has been investigating the ties between Jack Abramoff and the White House since at least March. The Washington Post broke the news Saturday that Abramoff’s lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig had been subpoenaed by the committee. Today Roll Call‘s John Bresnahan has much more (sub. req.), revealing that the investigation extends to Abramoff’s earlier firm Preston Gates and also Alexander Strategy Group, the now-defunct lobby shop run by Ed Buckham, Tom DeLay’s former chief of staff who was very close to Abramoff.

Very quietly, the committee, helmed by Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), has been gathering these documents since early March. They’re investigating in order “to understand the nature and extent of Jack Abramoff’s interactions with public officials in the executive branch, including the White House, and the legislative branch,” according to a letter from the Committee to Greenberg Traurig’s attorney. No hearings have been scheduled yet.

Here’s why I’m inclined to think that this is legit. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) is the ranking member on the committee. All indications are that he’s fully on board. In the past, he’s never been shy about complaining publicly when he thinks an investigation is lacking.

Here are more details on what the committee is looking for, from Roll Call:

Davis and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), ranking member on Government Reform, are seeking “all documents that reflect contacts by Mr. Abramoff or his associates” with a number of White House officials, starting with Bush and Rove, and extending into the political, legislative, and intergovernmental affairs offices at the White House, according to a copy of the subpoena reviewed by Roll Call. The committee is seeking information on contacts beginning in 1998 and running until the present date.

Records recently released by the Secret Service under pressure from watchdog groups indicate that Abramoff attended at least a half-dozen meetings or social events at the White House, including at least one with Bush himself.

Other current or former White House aides from whom the committee wants information on any Abramoff-related contacts include: Ken Mehlman, now Republican National Committee chairman; Susan Ralston, Rove’s assistant who had worked for Abramoff before going to the White House; Nick Calio and David Hobbs, both former heads of the White House legislative affairs shop; Jack Oliver, one of Bush’s top fundraisers; Jack Howard, a former deputy assistant to the president for legislative affairs; Barry Jackson, one of Rove’s top aides; Eric Pelletier, deputy assistant to president for legislative affairs; Ziad Ojakli and Matt Kirk, both of whom worked in the legislative affairs office; and dozens of others.