WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Documents released by the U.S. Congress revealed an associate of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff met with White House officials 12 times in 2003 and 2004.
Lobbyist Shawn Vasell met with the officials on behalf of the International Interactive Association, which represents PartyGaming and similar Internet gaming businesses, the Financial Times reported Monday. The association paid millions of dollars to Abramoff's lobbying firm, Greenberg Traurig.
IIA continues to use Greenberg Traurig as its primary lobbyist in Washington, the Financial Times said.
The association has claimed it was unaware of Abramoff's illegal activities, including the unauthorized donation of $2 million of IIA's fees to conservative charities.
Robert Litt, an attorney for IIA, told the Financial Times the contributions to conservative group National Center for Public Policy Research and Abramoff's own Capital Athletic Foundation charity were made in IIA's name without its knowledge using money paid to Greenberg Traurig.
"IIA retained Greenberg Traurig to do lobbying and, not to put too fine an edge on it, it appears Abramoff stole their money," he said.
