Jack abramoff net worth

1. Jack Abramoff: A Biography
2. Early Life and Education
3. The Rise of a Lobbyist
4. Corruption Scandals
5. Prison and Aftermath

Jack Abramoff: A Biography

Jack Allan Abramoff is a former American businessman and lobbyist who was once a powerful figure in the world of politics, but lost his influence after a series of high-profile scandals. Abramoff was convicted of corruption and multiple episodes of complex fraud, ultimately receiving a prison sentence.

Early Life and Education

Jack Abramoff was born into a Jewish family in Atlantic City, New Jersey. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Beverly Hills, California. He successfully completed his education and at the age of twelve, decided to become an orthodox Jew. After graduating from Brandeis University, Abramoff attended Georgetown University, where he earned a law degree. Immediately after receiving his Bachelor's degree, he participated in the elections for the Chairman of the Republican National Committee's College Republicans. Abramoff's campaign cost over $11,000 and was led by Grover Norquist. He was able to defeat his main competitor, Amy Moritz, who later collaborated with Abramoff on multiple occasions.

The Rise of a Lobbyist

As a successful businessman and respected citizen, Abramoff eventually became a highly influential lobbyist. He had impressive connections and friends in the highest echelons of American power. In 2001, Abramoff even became a member of the Bush administration's Advisory Committee. According to available information, Abramoff had 485 contacts in the White House over a span of three years, including Karl Rove, one of President Bush's aides.

Corruption Scandals

On August 11, 2005, Abramoff and Adam Kidan were charged with fraud. The allegations stemmed from a deal to purchase SunCruz Casinos from Konstantinos 'Gus' Boulis in 2000. They were accused of falsifying a money transfer document, which enabled them to obtain a loan of $60 million. It was believed that Bob Ney, a member of the House of Representatives, also helped facilitate the fraudulent operation. After buying the casino, relations between Abramoff, Kidan, and Boulis deteriorated significantly. In December 2000, Kidan and Boulis even got into a fight. In February 2001, Boulis was murdered in his car. The investigation into his death is still ongoing, and three gangsters allegedly receiving money from Kidan are now implicated in the case. The disputed casino now belongs to the company 'Oceans Casinos Cruises'.

On January 4, 2006, Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges. According to the terms of his plea deal, he faced a maximum of seven years in prison, which could be served concurrently with his sentence for his Washington corruption case. It was also possible for him to receive a reduced sentence if he agreed to fully cooperate. On March 29, 2006, Abramoff and Kidan were found guilty. Both received minimum sentences of 70 months and were fined $21.7 million. The judge received over 260 requests for leniency, including letters from rabbis, military personnel, and even professional hockey players.

Prison and Aftermath

In 2002, Abramoff was arrested in a secret lobbying contract case. On November 18, 2002, a full list of those involved in the contract was requested, and the prosecutor who made the request, Frederick A. Black, was removed from his position the following day. The new investigation into the case only began in 2005 and is still ongoing. Abramoff was also involved in the Howard Hills and Tony Sanchez case, where the duo was accused of illegal influence and misappropriation of entrusted property. Although Abramoff was implicated in this case, he ultimately faced no punishment, and the charges against him were dropped.

Additionally, Abramoff was embroiled in a scandal involving Indian casinos. He and his partner, Michael Scanlon, were accused of attempting to illegally obtain around $85 million from casino operators. They orchestrated lobbying efforts against the casinos, only to offer their own (not free) lobbying services afterward. This circus-like political maneuvering inevitably drew serious objections from the authorities. On November 21, 2005, Scanlon pleaded guilty to bribing several high-ranking officials. On January 3, 2006, Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion charges. The victims of his scheme were primarily representatives of Native American tribes. Abramoff was required to repay at least $25 million obtained through illegal means and still owed $1.7 million to the Internal Revenue Service. Among the officials Abramoff admitted to bribing was Bob Ney, who confessed in September 2006 to conspiracy and making false statements.

On September 4, 2008, a Washington court found Abramoff guilty of obtaining political power through expensive gifts. He was sentenced to four years in prison, which, however, ran concurrently with his previous conviction. Abramoff spent four years out of his six-year sentence in prison. On November 15, 2006, he was transferred to a minimum-security prison in Cumberland, Maryland. On June 8, 2010, he was moved to a rehabilitation center in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained until the end of his sentence. In June 2010, Abramoff found employment in a local kosher pizzeria, where he worked until his release.

Abramoff married Pamela Clarke Alexander in July 1986, and they have five children.