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Start of prison sentences delayed for Abramoff, Kidan

Prosecutors get to keep them handy awhile for interviews in other cases besides their SunCruz fraud convictions.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 21, 2006

MIAMI - A federal judge on Tuesday granted disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and ex-business partner Adam Kidan another three months before they must begin serving prison sentences for fraud convictions stemming from the purchase of a gambling boat fleet.

U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck agreed to a motion from federal prosecutors and lawyers for Abramoff and Kidan to extend the start of their prison terms to Oct. 2. Both initially were ordered to surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons by June 29.

The delay will give Abramoff and Kidan more time to cooperate with investigations into official corruption in Washington as well as the 2001 murder in Fort Lauderdale of businessman Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis, who was shot to death months after selling SunCruz Casinos to the pair.

The motion seeking the delay says that "repeated and ready access" to both men is necessary, involving large amounts of documents and interviews with agents from several law enforcement agencies, and that it would be costly in both time and money if all of that had to be brought to Abramoff and Kidan at prison.

Abramoff and Kidan were sentenced earlier this year to just under six years each in prison after both pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges. They admitted concocting a fake $23-million wire transfer to make it appear they were contributing their own money toward the $147.5-million SunCruz purchase. Based on that false transfer, lenders gave them $60-million in financing.

Abramoff has also pleaded guilty to three federal charges as part of a corruption probe involving members of Congress and aides.

Kidan and Abramoff have denied any role in the Boulis murder. Three men are charged with first-degree murder in that case.

[Last modified June 21, 2006, 02:22:14]