WASHINGTON — In the first trial arising from the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling scandal, a federal jury on Tuesday found a former Bush administration official guilty of lying and concealing his ties to the disgraced Republican lobbyist.
The case against David H. Safavian, once the government's chief procurement officer, turned on a lavish golf outing to Scotland. His conviction was a milestone for the Justice Department, which is continuing to pursue figures linked to Abramoff. The verdict adds momentum to that probe and is apt to put pressure on Safavian to cooperate with investigators to gain leniency when he is sentenced.
Abramoff pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to corrupt public officials and to steal millions from Indian tribes he represented; he has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation of his activities. Abramoff did not testify at Safavian's trial, although prosecutors introduced dozens of e-mails to show how he used his friendship with Safavian to learn more about government properties for sale.
Safavian was found guilty on three counts of lying or making false statements and one count of obstructing justice. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman set sentencing for Oct. 12.
"The message of this verdict is clear: In answering questions posed by Congress and by federal agencies, public officials have the same obligation as does the public for which they serve -- to tell the truth. No one is above the law," Alice Fisher, chief of the Justice Department's criminal division, said in a prepared statement.
The verdict comes amid the investigation into whether Abramoff illegally traded campaign contributions and other favors to aid his lobbying clients. Federal agents are focusing on a number of Congress members, including Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), whose former chief of staff was the key government witness against Safavian.
Three other former Abramoff associates have pleaded guilty to crimes related to the scandal.
A lawyer for Safavian said her client had tried to play by the rules but had been swept up in a broader government corruption crackdown.
"The task force will say how this was a great day in the war on corruption," Barbara van Gelder said after the verdict. "I find they made a mountain out of a molehill, and now they're going to plant the flag on top of the molehill."
