GOP uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, through his Miami lawyer Neal Sonnett, pleaded not guilty on Monday to fraud charges in federal court in Miami:

"I'm not going to summarize my defense strategy now," Sonnett told reporters outside the courtroom. "I can't summarize it. He committed no fraud. His case has been fairly stated in the civil cases, and that position is not going to change. Any defense theories or motions will be made in court."

In previous civil cases arising out of the SunCruz purchase, Abramoff has placed the blame for the phony wire transfer on his partner, Kidan. He has said in court filings that he believed Kidan had provided funds to the seller, Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis, who was later killed in a gangland-style shooting.

Since Kidan also is indicted, it appears that the Government isn't buying Abramoff's defense. Otherwise, one would think, they would offer him a deal to testify against Kidan, which it appears from the above statement, he is more than willing to do.

Background on the case is here.