RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman May Have Illegally Accepted U2 Tickets from Jack Abramoff while in Bush's White House

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

Last month BuzzFlash reported on a congressional report showing disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff had far more contact and access to top White House officials than previously revealed. Now, it appears that Abramoff's mass bribery may land Ken Mehlman - the current chairman of the RNC - in legal trouble.

A former top Bush official, Mehlman's name came up numerous times in the 91-page report, and evidence from among the thousands of emails recovered from Abramoff's firm indicate that Mehlman was given tickets for a U2 concert in Abramoff's private suit. The gift was not indicated on Mehlman's annual income disclosure.

Mehlman has thus far refused to confirm or deny the receipt of the tickets, but House Reform Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) demanded a response in a letter sent today. In the letter, Waxman notes that Mehlman's name was listed along with several other top Republican officials as those attending. Apparently, Mehlman actually requested the tickets from the lobbyist.

Though Mehlman claims he does not remember if he saw U2 that night, "[a] former Abramoff associate remembers Mehlman attending the concert," the LA Times reports.

"Federal law prohibits White House officials from soliciting gifts from persons 'seeking official action from, doing business with, or . . . conducting activities regulated by the individual's employing entity' or from persons whose interests may be 'substantially affected' by the performance of the officials' duties," Waxman noted.

Evidence from the congressional report reveals that Mehlman greatly assisted Abramoff's firm in promoting the interests of clients. In one email, an Abramoff employee wrote: "Mehlman said he would 'take care of this.' He was a rock star." "He's great," Abramoff replied.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

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