Miami, FL - Lobbyist Jack Abramoff Wins 2nd Delay In Start Of Prison Sentence

Miami, FL - Lobbyist Jack Abramoff won a new delay in the start of his prison sentences for fraud convictions stemming from his purchase of a gambling fleet.

But U.S. District Judge Paul Huck rejected a joint request by federal prosecutors and defense lawyers for an additional 90 days delay. Instead, the judge reluctantly agreed to give Abramoff until Nov. 15 to remain free. "I don't feel good about this," Huck said. "My main concern is, there comes a time when people have to pay the piper, so to speak. I think that time has come."

Abramoff was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of concocting a fake wire transfer to close a deal in 2000 to buy SunCruz Casinos from businessman Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis, who was later killed in a gangland-style shooting.
Huck approved a first 90-day delay for Abramoff in June. He initially said he intended to leave Monday's prison date unchanged.
But prosecutors, including senior officials at the U.S. Justice Department, and defense attorneys insisted Abramoff must remain out of prison to continue cooperating in a Washington corruption investigation.
If he is imprisoned, "what we need from Mr. Abramoff will be impossible to get," said Ed Nucci, acting chief of the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, in a telephone conference call with Huck. "There are so many areas that have to be explored and so many pockets."