When You Ride With the Outlaws ...

Texas - A lobbyist hired by the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations once worked closely with DeLay cohort Jack Abramoff. The lobbyist, Todd Boulanger, was a member of what was known as "Team Abramoff" (lawyers are so creative) while they were working at a law firm together.

We won't bore you with all the details, but essentially Todd worked with Abramoff as registered lobbyist for Indian tribes who were coerced into "donating" money in order to influence public officials. Did we mention that the advisory board for the state office that hired Todd consists of Gov. Ricky Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick? Todd has yet to be investigated, but come on!

Washington - Another "innocent" man who will soon hang with the outlaws is Representative Bob Ney from Ohio. He is also known as "Representative 1" in court documents filed in connection with the Abrahoff case. You may recall that Mr. Ney is the person who ordered the House cafeteria to start calling French fries "freedom fries" because France had opposed the Iraq war. Evidentially Abramoff lavished gifts and campaign donations on the congressman in return for help with legislation for his Indian tribe clients.

Fetch us a rope!