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Peter Overby As NPR's correspondent covering campaign finance and lobbying, Peter Overby totes around a business card that reads Power, Money & Influence Correspondent. Some of his lobbyist sources call it the best job title in Washington.
Peter Overby 2010
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Peter Overby

Politics

Ralph Reed Running in Abramoff's Shadow

Ralph Reed was once the face of the Christian Coalition. Then he became a high-powered lobbyist. Now he is a candidate for lieutenant governor of Georgia. But his new political ascension is threatened by his past association with Jack Abramoff.

Ralph Reed Running in Abramoff's Shadow

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Law

High Court to Weigh Campaign-Finance Restrictions

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a challenge to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. Opponents of the law are challenging a particular provision that forbids use of corporate or union money to pay for ads that refer to a candidate.

High Court to Weigh Campaign-Finance Restrictions

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Politics

Lobbying Firm Forced to Close Amid Probe

One of the city's best-connected Republican lobbying businesses, the Alexander Strategy Group, is to close at the end of the month. ASG has strong ties to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who recently gave up his post amid investigations of his financial dealings.

Lobbying Firm Forced to Close Amid Probe

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Lobbyist Abramoff May Make Plea Deal

Jack Abramoff, a Republican lobbyist under criminal investigation for bribery, is said to be negotiating with federal prosecutors. A lawyer on the Abramoff team said he could not comment on the reports, which have appeared in the Associated Press and other news sources.

Lobbyist Abramoff May Make Plea Deal

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National

Abramoff Co-Defendant Agrees to Help Prosecutors

An co-defendant of indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Adam Kidan has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges related to a shady business deal in 2000. Kidan's cooperation with the authorities bodes ill for Abramoff.

Abramoff Co-Defendant Agrees to Help Prosecutors

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Politics

California Congressman Admits Taking Bribes

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) has resigned from the House after pleading guilty to tax evasion and bribery conspiracy. Cunningham admitted he took than $2 million in exchange for favors to defense contracting companies.

California Congressman Admits Taking Bribes

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Politics

Alito Media Battle Heats Up Ahead of Senate Hearings

The battle over the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court has already begun -- at least over the airwaves. Groups supporting and opposing Alito are unleashing television, radio and Internet ads this holiday weekend, six weeks before his confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate.

Alito Media Battle Heats Up Ahead of Senate Hearings

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Politics

Ex-DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

A former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. Michael Scanlon admitted to conspiring with an unnamed lobbyist to defraud clients of millions of dollars and to bribe public officials.

Ex-DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

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Law

Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

Consultant Michael Scanlon pleads guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to defraud several Indian tribes and to corrupt a member of Congress. Scanlon, a former aide to ex-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, has been cooperating in the investigation of his former partner, high-profile lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

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Law

Abramoff Partner Charged in Lobbying Probe

Michael Scanlon, a Washington, D.C., consultant and partner of controversial lobbyist Jack Abramoff, is charged with conspiracy to defraud. On Monday, he is expected to give information that will aid a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of influence peddling. Scanlon could implicate Abramoff as well as a yet-unnamed U.S. congressman.

Abramoff Partner Charged in Lobbying Probe

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Politics

Lawmakers Probe Group's Ties to Abramoff

A Senate hearing Thursday probed the relationship between the head of a pro-Republican advocacy group and the lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Italia Federici, director of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, is accused of doing favors for Abramoff as he was steering money from his clients to her organization.

Lawmakers Probe Group's Ties to Abramoff

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Politics

Senate Begins Inquiry on Abramoff Lobbying Activities

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee begins long-awaited hearings into the activities of influential Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The proceedings focus on allegations of wrongdoing by Abramoff in multimillion-dollar deals with six Indian tribes.

Senate Begins Inquiry on Abramoff Lobbying Activities

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Politics

Alito Fundraising Machinery Gears Up

Unlike other recent Supreme Court nominees, fundraising is already under way for President Bush's most recent choice for the high court, Samuel Alito. Hardly any groups raised money for the John Roberts or Harriet Miers fights, which fizzled too fast to count as real battles.

Alito Fundraising Machinery Gears Up

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