WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Jack Abramoff, under investigation for lobbying irregularities, told Gabon's leader he could set up a meeting with U.S. President Bush for $9 million.
The New York Times reported Thursday an August 2003 draft agreement by Abramoff sent to Gabon President Omar Bongo suggested that, for three $3 million installments sent to a Maryland company, the lobbyist could set up a meeting with Bush.
Bongo did, in fact, meet with the U.S. president on May 26, 2004, but White House officials said it was part of Bush's outreach to African countries and said they knew of no role played by Abramoff in planning the meeting.
Abramoff, a former Republican fundraiser, has been indicted by a federal grand jury looking into his work for Indian tribes. A Senate committee looking into Abramoff's dealings recently released the Gabon document, the Times said.
It was also revealed that Abramoff told Bongo he could travel to Gabon right after a Scotland golf trip "with the congressmen and senators I take there each year," the Times report said.
