Cutting a Deal

Whenever you see a bug run out from under a rock, you can count on it not being the only one under there. Sure enough when you kick over that rock, out come scurrying several more into the light of day. It looks like Abramoff and Scanlon got caught running out from under that rock, and federal prosecutors-with Scanlon's help-are kicking it over:

"Michael Scanlon, former aide to a powerful congressman and onetime partner of a wealthy lobbyist, pleaded guilty today to a federal conspiracy charge as part of a deal in which he agreed to cooperate with an investigation into possible wrongdoing by some lawmakers.

Mr. Scanlon, 35, was accused of conspiring to defraud Indian tribes out of millions of dollars as part of a lobbying and corruption scheme that involved wining and dining of some lawmakers, treating them to lavish trips and contributing to their campaigns.

Representative Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican, who heads the House Appropriations Committee, was alluded to in the indictment (although not by name) as a main beneficiary of largess, in return for helping Mr. Abramoff and Mr. Scanlon with their clients."

The mere fact that prosecutors are willing to offer Scanlon a deal indicates they have bigger fish to fry; Ney's probably only one of the lawmakers they have their sights on. I've even read speculation on other blogs that this could put pressure on Ambramoff to flip, and spill his guts about what he's been up to with whom.

It's only going to get uglier.