Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > April > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe e-mail that one state employee would like back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Every now and again, the Jack Abramoff saga — already forgotten by many — jumps up in the most unexpected of places.
Abramoff is the high-powered Republican lobbyist whose connections with Indian tribes and their gaming operations proved such a problem for Ralph Reed in his ’06 bid for lieutenant governor.
In Washington, low-grade prosecutions continue. Robert Coughlin, a former member of the Justice Department, pleaded guilty last week to accepting thousands of dollars in meals and tickets from Abramoff.
An article posted on the web site of the ABA Journal says that prosecutors aren’t through.
Make sure you get to the third paragraph in this excerpt:
One e-mail from Kevin Ring, a member of Abramoff’s lobbying team at Greenberg Traurig, touted his success at securing a $16.3 million Justice Department grant for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the story says. Initially a deputy assistant attorney general had approved only $9 million for the tribe, but someone in Justice approved the higher amount.
Ring, a former staffer in the Justice Department under Attorney General John Ashcroft, had tickets for the Dave Matthews Band that he was giving to the lawyers who helped his clients. Coughlin, who at one time worked with Ring at DOJ, had helped his friend make contacts with Justice Department staffers. “I have the suite filling up with DOJ staffers that just got our clients $16 million,” Ring said in an e-mail to a fellow lobbyist, Padgett Wilson.
Wilson’s e-mail reply asserted that Dave Matthews tickets weren’t enough of a reward. “As for those DOJ staffers, those guys should get anything they want for the rest of the time they are in office—opening day tickets, Skins v. Giants, oriental massages, hookers, whatever.” Wilson is now director of governmental affairs for Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Services »
Comments
By Erwin
April 30, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Well, that’s it. The Governor should let him go. You cannot have a member of your administration associated with activities such as these. There is no room in good government for anyone who would even suggest these activities.
By Will Jones
April 30, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Sonny “The Flying Vet(erinarian)” Perdue is cut from the same cloth as dodgers Bush, Cheney, Reynolds and the whole crew of philistines and traitors making up the Fifth Column’s political buffer caste in America supporting the interests of the Roman Anti-Christ.
This Wilson is the smoking gun on Perdue…besides last year’s real estate tax “impropriety.” He didn’t get hired for righteousness’ sake or for safeguarding the People’s business.
If he isn’t fired immediately it will tell us more than we need to know.
By Wackolibhack
April 30, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
It is sonny’s fault I’m a log-cabin republican. I hate bush. I love logs.
By GA Citizen
April 30, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Pat Wilson is a good man and has done a great job serving the people of the State of Georgia both in DC and now in Atlanta. He has served well under Sen. Coverdell and has brought respect and intelligence back to the Governor’s Legislative Department. He should be lauded for his efforts and thanked for his sacrifice to this State and it’s leaders.
It is unfortunate that a message said in both privacy and clearly in jest has made what the AJC would consider news. Suprise us all and come up with some real news that is interesting and relevant.
By Hans Apology
April 30, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Enough about corruption in government. You or I would do the same thing if we were lucky enough to be lobbyists, indians, assemblymen, congressmen, governors, or what ever. Man, I’d party like it was 1999.
Quit blaming people for the same stuff you’d do 2.
By Ga Citizen my a$$
April 30, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
A true Georgia citizen would not be condoning this kind of sleaze. Now, if you said “Louisiana Citizen,” I might believe you.
By Whistleblower
April 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
This isn’t the only disgusting thing Padgett Wilson has said. The man is a veritable fountain of unethical and corrupt behavior. Sonny Perdue knew about Wilson’s criminal predelictions but hired him anyway, just in time for the Congress to turn Democratic, nullifying his influence. Wilson once spent his firm’s money on prostitutes for a GOP Congreesmsn’s staffers on a trip to the far east. The man is a cesspool of crooked and disgraceful activity, and he should be in jail, not on the state’s payroll.
By Dr. D
April 30, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
I have known Pat all my life. He is a fine young man who is an asset to our state. Lots of lose accusations can be made on a public forum with no accountability.
By Jane
April 30, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Like a Doctor, activists have a duty to do not harm to their party, movement, or bosses. Pat may not have done something serious, but he has hurt those he represents. He should resign.
By Prince von Ahole
April 30, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
I for one would take pagdy up on the oriental massage and hookers-ole padgy does a job well and know how to close the deal-everyone wants a happy ending. He is not an elected official, he’s a lobbyist- he does the dirty work well. bravo. Bill Clinton would have gone down as one of the best if he had a padgy in his pocket.
By Charles
May 1, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
For the record there were also Democrats who took money as well:
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/02/AR2005060202158.html]
But, as always, we wouldn’t want to be accurate on this subject. That goes against the AJC’s policy!
By For The Record
May 1, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Fire all the crooks regardless of label. As though the labels, Republican or Democrat, actually mean anything. Throw them in prison. Give them time on a chain gang.
By MT
May 1, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
These are not “accusations”, these are facts, backed up by the email proof.
He should resign.
By tom ga hunter
May 1, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Why is Ralph Reed not writing his sex novels from jail??
By Darrell
May 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Because Ralph has not been charged with any crime. And by the way, you have to be convicted after you are charged before you go to jail. Though many like to accuse and immediately assume guilt, America is still an innocent until proven guilty system.
By flip wilson
May 1, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
This guy is not only sleazy but corrupt. Why would Perdoofus want him to represent the state?
By JHMB
May 1, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
This is ridiculous. His email was obvioulsy meant as a joke. The AJC should retract this post and apologize to Pat and the Governor both - its malicious at best. Everyone who knows Pat, realizes he is a great guy, a great public servant, and his integrity is unquestionable.
By PUDPOOL Jr.
May 1, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
He likes to get dudes off, should be commended. Larry Craig could have used a gofer like this. I say promote him to “head” of the GOP
By david corr
May 1, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Hopefully this story will have a happy ending!