Documents show extent of ties between Abramoff and Bush appointee

John Byrne
Published: January 12, 2006

Patrick PizzellaA senior Labor Department official appointed by President Bush in 2001 has more detailed ties to fallen conservative lobbyist Jack Abramoff than previously believed, according to documents reviewed by RAW STORY.

The official, Patrick Pizzella, was an Abramoff lieutenant who lobbied on behalf of at least five clients that are now the subject of investigations: E-Lottery, Naftasib, the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, the Commonwealth of the Marianas Islands and the Saginaw Chippewas. Pizzella paired with Abramoff at Washington lobby shop Preston Gates Ellis and Rouvelas Meeds, working together on more than $11 million in accounts.