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E-Mails Detail Dealings of Safavian and Abramoff
On Feb. 7, 2003, Safavian e-mailed the lobbyist, "My folks are set to brief your team on 8a contracting opportunities. Who is the best person to get that briefing?" He added that he was e-mailing from Signatures, and "I love those tempura tuna rolls!"
One of the major roadblocks to Abramoff's efforts to get commercial use of the Post Office building was a career civil servant at the White House Office of Management and Budget, David J. Haun, whose duties included oversight of the GSA.
  David H. Safavian allegedly used his government posts to assist lobbyist Jack Abramoff. (Melina Mara/twp - The Washington Post) Special Report
Abramoff, the once-powerful lobbyist at the center of a wide-ranging public corruption investigation, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison on March 29, after pleading guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials in a deal that required him to provide evidence about members of Congress.
• Former Aide to Rep. Ney Pleads Guilty (May 9, 2006) |
Safavian e-mailed Abramoff on July 28, 2003:
"The OMB staffer in the way (David Haun) does not realize we have a legislative directive FROM CONGRESS regarding this matter. In fact, we had a letter sent to us by [Reps] Don Young [R-Alaska], Steve LaTourette [R-Ohio], [Sens.] Byron Dorgan [D-N.D.] and Harry Reid [D-Nev.]. . . . What this means is that we will have to go to [OMB director] Mitch Daniels and roll this idiot."
The e-mails indicate that none of the deals Abramoff was seeking at the GSA ever came to fruition. On Jan. 22, 2004, President Bush appointed Safavian chief administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy at the OMB, and a month later, the Abramoff empire began to crumble.
On Feb. 22, 2004, The Washington Post reported that Abramoff had persuaded Indian tribe casino clients to pay $45 million to a foundation that existed only on paper that was run by Michael Scanlon, who had been an aide to former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.)
At 1:35 p.m. that day, Safavian e-mailed Abramoff, "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with damage control." Eight days later, Safavian wrote, "Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers."
On Sept. 16, 2005, Safavian resigned as chief of White House procurement policy. He was arrested three days later.
