TPMmuckraker reports on Congressional investigations targeting four of casino syndicator's "friends"

in its "Today's Must Read" post, TPMmuckraker reports the following "friends" of Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik (and the Ilitch Family) are under investigation for ethics violations and other wrongdoings:

1. Congressman Don Young (R-AK 1st)
TPMmuckracker: Young's Scandals from Abramoff to Zachares

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Why did a Detroit-based casino syndicate with interests in Barstow front travel costs for Alaska's Rep. Don Young?
• Is the Gulfstream G-IV private aircraft pictured on this postcard co-owned by the Ilitch Family?
• Daniel Aronoff and Mike Malik have similar relationships with Rep. Don Young
• Michigan Developer directed political funds to Rep Don Young and got $20 million earmarked for Florida road project
• There can be no question why Michael Malik found Rep. Don Young to be such an attractive political figure
• Tribe hoped language slipped into 2004 Transportation Bill would grant approvals for Port Huron casino
• UPDATED: Tribal leader admits lobbyists were trying to sneak casino plans through Congress without alerting opposition
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• PoliticalMoneyLine: Rep. Don Young pays Akin Gump $25,000 & gets $100,000 GOP refund
• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet
• Rep. Don Young's Top 10 donor list includes prominent Great Lakes area families bankrolling 'off-reservation' casino projects
• Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
• Former congressional aide linked to Reps. John Doolittle and Don Young pleads guilty
• Ilitch & Troha families responsible for 70% of the money Rep Don Young (R-AK) took in on his best fundraising day of the entire 2006 campaign
• Casino developer indicted on charges he laundered political contributions via his family
• NewsMeat.com provides a snapshot look at Ilitch Family DC political contributions and bundling practices
• Do these people really believe Marian Ilitch is a "homemaker" or are they playing along with the game
• GOP Congresswoman received at least $74,000 in bundled funds from Ilitch Family sources after introducing bill for syndicator-backed Indian casino
• Six bills in Congress, over six years & political gifts in the six figures: That's what Ilitch Family has invested in Port Huron Casino deal
• Malik/Ilitch Contributions to Rep. Don Young

2. Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA )
TPMmuckraker: The Doolittle Investgations

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Family Affair: Members of Congress pay family members with political funds
• Ethics Issues Confront Crop of Calif. Congressmen
• Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist (son of a Doolittle political operative) as “retired”
• Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• Former congressional aide linked to Reps. John Doolittle and Don Young pleads guilty

3. Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ )
TPMmuckraker: Rick Renzi Under Investigation

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Rep. Renzi's committee, donor may have falsified disclosure records
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep

4. Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA )
TPMmuckraker: Lewis is under investigation

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Family Affair: Members of Congress pay family members with political funds
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• CleanUpWashington.org Hall of Shame The Story on Hall of Shame Candidate Rep. Jerry Lewis
• Rep. Lewis, Daughter used same PAC Lawyer Barbara Bonfiglio
• Controversial D.C .Lobbyists/PAC Treasurers Barbara Bonfiglio and Mark Valente III have ties to Team Ilitch; Reps J. Lewis, C. Miller, R. Pombo
• Ethics Issues Confront Crop of Calif. Congressmen
• Concerns raised about Malik & Bay Mills Tribe's Plastics Business long before $900k federal grant awarded
• Malik contributions to Jerry Lewis

TPMmuckracker keeps a running tally of investigations and prosecutions of both Democrats and Republicans on their Grand Ole Docket.

Or click on any of the "labels" (categories) below for a compendium of posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com (TVT) for that category.

TPMmuckraker reveals Doolittle's refusal to plead guilty prompted Friday-the-13th FBI raid

as posted 6.29.07 at TPMmuckracker.com :

The thing is, prosecutors don't seem to need much encouragement (here are the reasons why). Doolittle has been in investigators' sights dating back to the very beginning of the Jack Abramoff investigation -- back in 2004, investigators subpoenaed records for Doolittle's wife's consulting firm due to her work for Abramoff.

Finally, in April of this year, prosecutors offered Doolittle an opportunity to plead guilty. After he refused, FBI agents raided his Virginia home (for some reason, Doolittle wasn't happy about that).

So it's apparent the Justice Department has taken Doolittle up on his offer to "come investigate me," and they've obviously much more than just "started." But I'm sure they appreciate the support.

Former Interior official got twice the sentence following guilty plea

as posted 6.26.07 at TPMmuckraker.com:

Judge Sentences Admin Official to 10 Months
By Paul Kiel

Prosecutors had asked for only five months imprisonment, coupled with five months house arrest for Steven Griles, the former #2 at the Interior Department who's pled guilty to lying to Senate investigators about his relationship with Jack Abramoff.

A federal judge, apparently unconvinced that Griles had learned anything from the whole affair, today sentenced him to twice that. From the AP:

The Interior Department's former No. 2 official was sentenced to 10 months in prison Tuesday for lying to senators in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, the highest administration official sentenced in the probe....

'Even now you continue to minimize and try to excuse your conduct,' [Judge Ellen] Huvelle told Griles.

Griles had asked for three months home confinement and community service in the form of pro bono lobbying.