Michael Scanlon

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Michael Scanlon (also known as Sean Scanlon

investigations related to the defrauding of American Indian tribes and corruption of public officials.

In addition to the allegation of dishonest dealing arising from the consulting contracts themselves, Abramoff and Scanlon are accused of illegally giving favors to senior Republicans Tom DeLay, Conrad Burns, John Doolittle, and Bob Ney. In 2005, Scanlon pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe a member of Congress and other public officials. On February 11, 2011, he was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison and 300 hours of community service.^[2]

Early career

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In 1994, Scanlon worked as

. Scanlon later became an aide to congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX), and rose in the ranks to become the Majority Whip's communication director.

Scanlon leaves Capitol Hill

Michael Scanlon resigned his position as communication director for Tom DeLay in March 2000, while DeLay was being lobbied by Abramoff to vote against the

]

Scanlon, Abramoff and SunCruz Casinos

In February 2000, Abramoff became involved in the purchase of

, stemming from a forged wire transfer showing a non-existent down payment used to obtain financing for the purchase.

Scanlon and Tribal lobbying

As of September 11, 2000, Scanlon was one of the lobbyists assigned to Abramoff's team lobbying on behalf of the

, Atlantic Research Analysis, and Scanlon Gould Public Affairs). Abramoff and Scanlon used the firm to bilk tribal clients for millions of dollars in fees. Abramoff directed clients to use Scanlon's firm for political campaign services, without disclosing his own relationship with Scanlon. Scanlon's firm would then only perform part of the campaign services billed for, and would split the excess money received with Abramoff in a scheme known to the two as "Gimme Five".

Private communications revealed as a result of the Congressional enquiry into Scanlon and Abramoff's consulting business demonstrate a contemptuous attitude to both clients and supporters. Indian Clients were referred to as "troglodytes" and "monkeys", while Christian Conservatives were called gullible "wackos" who could be manipulated to vote on demand:

The wackos get their information through the Christian right, Christian radio, mail, the internet and telephone trees ... Simply put, we want to bring out the wackos to vote against something and make sure the rest of the public lets the whole thing slip past them.

Scanlon also emailed colleagues, saying:

This whole thing about not kicking someone when they are down is BS - Not only do you kick him - You kick him until he passes out - then beat him over the head with a baseball bat - then roll him up in an old rug - and throw him off a cliff into the pounding surf below!!!!!

^[5]

Criminal charges

On November 18, 2005, in a one-count criminal information filed by the

Fictional portrayals

Scanlon was portrayed by Barry Pepper in the 2010 film Casino Jack.

References

Sources

• Hampson, Rick (Associated Press). "They find public resentment no joking matter - Lawyers take stand to lift negative image" The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 9, 1993.
• Johnson, Steve. "Mr. Flanagan Goes to Washington - A Young Upstart Comes to Grips With His role and his sudden renown" Chicago Tribune, January 15, 1995.

External links

• Scanlon's campaign contributions
• Bloomberg.com
• Daily Kos
• Salon.com
• Scanlon's court papers