Title: Scandal-Plagued Lobbyist’s Influence Over Northern Mariana Islands Politics and Labor Laws

Background

• The Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) have been embroiled in a financial scandal involving influential lobbyist Jack Abramoff and government officials.
• The islands sought exemptions from U.S. immigration and minimum wage laws, hiring Abramoff’s law firm, Preston Gates, in 1995.
• The initial contract expired in 1996, but the NMI government continued to pay the firm, costing over $5.2 million.

Controversial Contract Extensions

• In 1996, the NMI government illegally extended Abramoff’s contract, with reported undisclosed lobbying efforts taking place during these trips.
• Tom DeLay, a high-ranking politician, was one of the politicians involved in these trips.
• Abramoff was rehired in 1999, after a suspension, upon the request of NMI politician Benigno R. Fitial.

Lobbying Allegations

• Abramoff’s team helped craft statements from Rep. Ralph Hall attacking the credibility of a sex slave, “Katrina.”
• They also negotiated a no-bid contract for David Lapin, worth $1.2 million.
• Abramoff is also alleged to have paid for at least two other trips to the Marianas for politicians, with Preston Gates being reimbursed for the expenses.

Investigation and Aftermath

• The scandals surrounding Abramoff’s work in the Northern Mariana Islands reveal a complex web of lobbying, political influence, and questionable contractual arrangements.
• The investigation into these matters is ongoing, with more information expected to surface.

References

1. Office of Public Auditor: Northern Mariana Islands - M-01-05: Survey of CNMI-Contracted Lobbyist Activities, January 1994 through September 2001
2. Another Stumble for Ralph Reed’s Beleaguered Campaign
3. Northern Mariana Islands - The Muckraker’s Reference Section
4. Abramoff Allies Keeping Distance
5. Lobbyist’s Mariana Islands Work Questioned
6. DeLay’s Lavish Island Getaway
7. Abramoff Allies Keeping Distance
8. For Abramoff, Lawmaker Slandered Teen Sex Slave
9. U.S. Department of Labor’s Investigation into ‘Katrina’ Case
10. Associate of Lobbyist Tied to DeLay Is Questioned on Island Contracts
11. Democrats’ Travel Costs Linked to Lobbyist
12. A Question of Influence
13. Archived copy
14. Dear Colleague Letter Regarding ABC Story on Northern Mariana Islands
15. Controversial lobbyist had close contact with Bush team
16. Return Abramoff money
17. Former Department of the Interior Employee Pleads Guilty to Receiving Gifts from Lobbyist
18. Republican Senate Candidate Bob Schaffer Linked to Controversial Lobbyist