WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- President Bush plans to donate $6,000 in campaign contributions from one-time lobbyist Jack Abramoff to the American Heart Association.
Abramoff was a Bush-Cheney Pioneer, someone who raised more than $100,000 for the Republican presidential ticket. But The Washington Post said that the president will give up only money donated directly by Abramoff, his wife and one of the Indian tribes he lobbied for.
Abramoff pleaded guilty Tuesday in Washington to bribery, fraud and tax evasion and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. The next day, he made a court appearance in Miami where he admitted a fraudulent conspiracy involving the purchase of casino boats.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, said that the president does not really know Abramoff although they may have met.
A long list of politicians, most of them Republican, have announced that they would return contributions or give them to charity. About two-thirds of donations linked to Abramoff went to Republicans.
