Just Plain Stinks

So several months ago, I corresponded with probably my oldest friend Geoff (we've known each other since kindergarten). Anyway, he dropped this story on me that cracked me up about a guy we used to go to high school with. I barely remembered the guy, but recalled him being a real prick if nothing else. Geoff and I were both kids who played baseball and got along with pretty much everyone, but in junior high and high school we got turned on to the Punk Rock. Punk Rock and Jocks just don't mix. As much as we tried to maintain our interest in both areas, the real jocks as well as the "popular set" started to ostracize us and show there anger against our new lifestyle.

Shawn Scanlon was one of those kids. Again, my memory isn't great, I don't really remember him much, but when I see his face I can remember it in perpetual scowl towards our peg-jeaned, shaved head, alternative music interests.

Anyway, the story Geoff hipped me to, kind of slipped my mind for a while and was just re-ignited when my friend Maya happen to mention an update on the same story.

O.K., so all of you high school friends of mine have probably heard about this already. But maybe there are some tid-bits you might have missed. And for the rest of you, it might be amusing because this is National News.

Our old bully Shawn Scanlon, is now known as Michael Scanlon. Mike has found himself linked to the Tom Delay scandal as well as being in the shitter for his own sleazy Indian Tribe bribery scandal.

I'll do my best to succinctly describe mikes tribulations, but as I say, I haven't been following it as closely as some. So please feel free to comment on any details you might be aware of. Regardless, you'll find that as Geoff said "I mean how often does the asshole psycho-jock from high school come back into view later on in life as a total slime ball high rolling ultra-right lobbyist about to go to jail for fraud. Once a p**sy sociopath always a p**sy sociopath I say."

So Mr. Scanlon is a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and a lobbyist who is currently under investigation together with his partners Jack Abramoff, Grover Norquist and Ralph Reed by separate state and federal grand jury investigations into lobbying performed for Indian tribes running casino gambling businesses. In addition to the allegation of dishonest dealing arising from the consulting contracts themselves, Abramoff and Scanlon are accused of illegal giving favors to senior Republicans Tom DeLay, Conrad Burns and Bob Ney. This quick overview via Wikipedia. Oh, this give me a chance to say, if you're not familiar with Wikipedia, it rules.

The Indian Gambling scam goes something like this. Scanlon and Abramoff assured Indian tribes that they could persuade members of congress to not pass various bills that would close gaming institutions in various Indian reservations. They called it Operation Open Doors. For a price of 4.2 million dollars Scanlon promised just such an influence to a member of the Tigua Tribe who had gaming establishments in El Paso. Both Republican and Democrat senators were said to be influenced. Little happened after Scanlon and Abramoff were paid off and the Tigua tribe were forced to lay off 700 employees and were ordered to close the casino. S & A blamed the senators, and the senators refused knowing of the promises. Most of this comes from an Indianz.com article that Geoff sent me.

On November 21, 2005, in proceedings before Federal District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle, Scanlon pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe a member of Congress and other public officials. Under the plea agreement, Scanlon will repay $19.6 million to his former Indian tribe lobbying clients. He is expected to testify against Abramoff and anyone else indicted in the case, according to Justice Department sources. In addition, one friend of mine mentioned that pressure is being put on Scanlon to fess up to any information on Delay that Scanlon might have.

One comment contained in the Wikipedia entry attributed to Scanlon, I think is classic, goes as follows:
"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!!!!! Scanlon seems to have contempt for everyone. You just can't deny this guys sleaziness, despite reports otherwise.

An entertaining story about Scanlon pathetically hiding out in his house from Federal Marshals can be found here.

Scanlon’s list of contributions to the Republican Party can be found here. Check the Wikipedia listing for a variety of other links. Also, do your own research and continue this thread. This is why growing up in the D.C. area has it merits. What city can mould characters like Scamlon and Link Wray. Maybe LA?

Oh yeah, so Debby got in touch with a reporter from New Republic who wrote a story about Scanlon being a well liked guy and he said if anyone would like to set the record streight, to contact him at mcrowley@tnr.com . Request anonymity if you like.