Abbe LowellJack Abramoff hired himself a good criminal defense lawyer in Abbe Lowell, a well-connected Washington insider. Indicted on three counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, and tax evasion, Abramoff could have faced up to 30 years of prison time. By cooperating with the Federal prosecutors in their ongoing investigation of improper activities by Washington lobbyists and politicians, Abramoff now faces a maximum sentence of 11 years with the opportunity to have that time reduced. Getting such a substantial reduction in the time his client will have to serve in prison is quite an achievement for Abbe Lowell, particularly since Abramoff is viewed as the central figure (and most culpable party) involved in this Washington-based scandal.

Lowell is a longtime Democrat who worked on Jimmy Carter’s Presidential campaign. According to Julia Campbell of Court TV, Lowell was Bill Clinton’s chief defender "as the chief investigator hired by the Democrats on the House Judicial Committee" when Congress was considering the impeachment of President Clinton. Abbe Lowell also represented Congressman Gary Condit who was under suspicion in the disappearance of Chandra Levy. Other politicians represented by Lowell include former House Speaker Jim Wright and Rep. Patrick Kennedy, according to Ms. Campbell.

The London Daily Telegraph today referred to Abramoff as "Casino Jack". Just the other day I named Jack Abramoff as "the bad guy of the year", in an article here at DallasBlog. Reading the allegations in his indictment will give you some idea of the level of corruption involving Abramoff.

Now that Abramoff’s lawyer has saved his client from having to spend the rest of his life in prison, we will soon see who Abramoff will take down with him. Understandably, a lot of folks who have been involved with Abramoff over the past decade are very nervous right now. Criminal defense attorneys in the D.C. area will be making a lot of money over the next couple of years, thanks to Jack Abramoff.

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