Abramoff Associate Griles Sentenced to 10 Months
Former Interior Deputy Secretary J.Steven Griles was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison today for lying to the Senate about his contacts with Jack Abramoff.
The Government recommended a split sentence (5 months in prison, 5 on home detention) but the Judge got angry Griles was still in denial about his crimes so she gave him a straight ten months in jail. Since good time doesn't kick in on sentences of less than 12 months and a day, he'll have to do the whole thing.
The Justice Department's press release is here.
Italia Federici, who also pleaded guilty and is cooperating, will be sentenced in November. It was Federici, with whom Griles had an intimate relationship, who introduced Griles to Abramoff. (DOJ says he also lied about their relationship.)
The total Abramoff-related conviction count is now at 12.
| < GOP Sen. Voinovich Joins Lugar In Talking About Withdrawal From Iraq, But Not Voting For It | Okla. Executes Inmate Dying of Cancer > |