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Friday Flashback: AP: Former aide to Bond, Blunt admits hiding gifts
For Immediate Release: January 22, 2010 Contact: Ryan Hobart (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125 FRIDAY FLASHBACK AP: Former aide to Bond, Blunt admits hiding gifts Jefferson City, Mo. – In November 2008, the Associated Press reported a former aide to Washington insiders Congressman Roy Blunt and Senator Kit Bond pleaded guilty to concealing gifts from lobbyists that he received in return for favors. Here are some excerpts from the article: “A former legislative aide to two Missouri Republicans, Sen. Kit Bond and Rep. Roy Blunt, pleaded guilty Nov. 20 to hiding thousands of dollars of gifts from lobbyists, the latest political figure to go down in the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal.” “Trevor L. Blackann, 34, pleaded guilty in federal court to not reporting more than $4,100 in illegal gifts from lobbyists on his 2003 tax forms, including tickets to the World Series, concerts and sporting events, free airfare and transportation, free meals and gifts and entertainment at a ‘gentleman’s club’.” “In court documents, Blackann said two unnamed lobbyists worked directly with Abramoff, who has been sent to prison for corrupting Capitol Hill lawmakers with expensive meals, golf junkets, luxury sports tickets and other gifts. These lobbyists gave him the World Series tickets, among other items.” Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for US Senate. --30--
“Blackann said in court documents he knew ‘the lobbyists gave these things of value for or because of official actions they were seeking from him or had obtained from him.’” (AP, 11/21/08)
