Jack Abramoff: The lobbyist's playbook

Crooked lobbyist Jack Abramoff explains how he asserted his influence in Congress for years, and how such corruption continues today despite ethics reform. Lesley Stahl reports.

[@grantjohnson952]

3.5 years? There are literally thousands of people that are serving LIFE SENTENCES for non-violent drug offenses. The system is upside down.

[@antiquarian1773]

Money is power.

[@SAID-dw9iw]

@@antiquarian1773 i would say connections is power

[@chavakano54]

The system is DESIGNED that way, it is designed to enrich and protect the ultra rich.

[@antiquarian1773]

@@SAID-dw9iw money attracts people !

[@patrikpass2962]

Why would you want a whistleblower to get a long sentence? That only gives the ones who keep doing worse and makes the crazy drug laws power. This guy should get rewarded for telling us how it works.

[@kenp3L]

The problem is not the illegal things that these people do. It's the things that are legal that shouldn't be.

[@theghostofhumankindness4312]

Maybe when I was younger I'd be saying the same things but just make money and die, that's the American way.

[@thomassagan2484]

TheGhostof HumanKindness You're not Eyedea

[@theghostofhumankindness4312]

LOL!

[@Renegade4rebels]

like what ?. take away lobbyist and you take away interest groups. This guy is slimy plain and simple.

[@kaibaCorpHQ]

Yeah, I mean it doesn't matter that you're disclosing where you got the money from; you still received a bribe, and just disclosing a bribe doesn't make it not a bribe... It's like if I said "Hey, tomorrow at noon I'm going to walk in your office and punch you in the face.", Then if I got to do it, how does the fact that I told you yesterday make it right that I punched you in the face? It's still the morally wrong thing to do.... These politicians can stand there all they want and tell us what we want to hear, but at the end of they day they're loyal to whomever is giving them the majority of their 💰. It goes for both sides of the Isle.

[@OnlyTeaGuru]

people are so mad at him but honestly, study accounts of other White collar criminals. They all deny deny deny and don't even acknowledge their wrongs. This guy is honest about it and admitting his faults, so respect it

[@elizaelle2929]

The only TeaGuru it’s true that he did own up to his faults but there is a layer of pseudo-sweetness to him.. you can see it in his eyes. he’s pretty good at manipulating people. I think he’s aware that other people thought he was wrong so he’s just pretending to agree with them or realize he’s wrong to get himself on people’s good side. I’m not sure about this guy or how he’s changed, he did spend several years in prison and it’s a big step to admit you’re wrong, but the way he’s talking sounds like he’s proud of himself.

[@Flawda986]

The only TeaGuru LOL yeah nope.... he’s back to his old ways, lobbying and fundraising and corrupting in 2019 under a Super PAC called Protect American Values.

[@harlow743]

He's a true saint right up there with Pretty Boy Floyd

[@tarinburnsed4307]

Hey guys this comment above me is a bot to get us to stop talking about his new PAC and instead talk about the comment. Don't fall for it!

[@tarinburnsed4307]

Remember the name Protecting values of America bc I'm assuming its the opposite

[@VoxOMS]

An amazing amazing piece that is worth watching and rewatching - a reminder of just how pathetic politicians are and the power of corruption.

[@ownSystem]

Imagine the curruption of Trump and his cronies.

[@ipman3564]

@@ownSystem San Fran... you need to check out your own back-yard ~

[@jupena]

This was 8 years ago., and I just learned about this guy, shouldn't the media be all over this?

[@anthonygibson660]

They were, but when you just watch ESPN, you wouldn't know that

[@jupena]

@@anthonygibson660 yeah, that was 9 years ago, I probably was partying, playing video games, and watching ESPN. I appreciate the reply on a comment I made a year ago, it's alway good to remember how corrupt Washington is.

[@gepard555]

@@jupena the media is not all over it, because lobbyists own the media

[@joshuasoapes353]

If you think Jack Abramoff was a scary bad guy. You might want to look at all the people surrounding him and find out hes the only guy that didn't keep the money!

[@cariengland4414]

Agreed! The system is so crooked.

[@mercedeswalt6621]

Wow, the sad thing about this is that Jack feels remorse and has to suffer the consequences of his actions, which he should, he absolutely did terrible things but- there are plenty of other lobbyists who will never feel the weight of their sins because they will never get caught or exposed. I liked his last warning though, about preventing a Congressman from becoming a lobbyist, that sounds like something useful that will prevent any more worms from finding a loophole to wriggle through.

[@CobraPR893]

Living the rest of his life as a millionare. The poor guy. 😂

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Jack isn't remorseful 😂 you are just another victim of his manipulation

[@OnlyTeaGuru]

now he is going to lobby against lobbying lolololol

[@kevinatspeed]

wrong, he went back to being a lobbyist again

[@willjdeanie]

He's got this lobbying stuff down. Top lad of the lobby. This guy has a permanent lob on. The interviewer is being lobbied by him all the way through this and she doesn't even know it.

[@Flawda986]

The only TeaGuru LOL yeah nope.... he’s back to his old ways, lobbying and fundraising and corrupting in 2019 under a Super PAC called Protect American Values.

[@daddyinacaddy]

There's a saying about old habits?

[@irfansuharno4681]

our founding fathers would've been sad and disgusted at the amount of corruption in our government.....

[@pandaman2223]

Our founding fathers struggled with the idea of allowing a democracy. This nation was almost established as a republic because our founding fathers had so little trust for the people. They wanted the sole power of the nation to lie with rich white men. It wasn't until years after the constitution was originally written that either women, or blacks could vote. The founding fathers would be too happy about how our nation turned out.

[@garystewart9211]

***** We aren't a democracy!! We use Democracy to vote for our leaders, but we are, or should I say were, a Constitutional Republic!! But, now we are a Plutocracy!

[@jonathanlewis6240]

Irfan Suharno You are 💯 correct!

[@yeetbigley6366]

our founding fathers owned slaves....

[@TassaTV]

Lady Gaga gets 440 million views on ONE video, this gets 32K. We are screwed!

[@vincentsedmock9355]

Hell three years in prison after making twenty million a year, I would say that is worth it.

[@WDM08002]

Vincent Sedmock only for him. It hurts everyone else.

[@sproy1]

Think about it this way: The short time he spent in prison, brief as it may have been, did its job. He learned his lesson. He reformed, and now he's dedicated his life to fighting the system he used to participate in. I honestly don't mind a short prison sentence if it accomplishes what it set out to do. That doesn't mean the penal system is too soft; it means that it's efficient.

[@naula7]

Vincent Sedmock - or NOT!

[@maxmarshall3004]

ya but they took all his money

[@felichia808]

Another example of wealthy elitists committing big money crimes & serving short sentences, while the poor receive much longer sentences for selling 1/2 ounce of marijuana.

[@seawit9434]

The best part of this is that he worked as an accountant at a kosher pizza parlor. In Maryland.

[@swirlcrop]

This is a good interview. It´s disturbing but good. :-)

[@mr.boomguy]

swirlcrop - My thoughts as well.

[@Unknown_Ooh]

The worst part is there are thousands of Jacks running around D.C. - outlaw lobbyists.

[@ozzyfromspace]

You can tell he’s a really smart guy that could bend and break the law with subtlety and grace. He might be done lobbying for clients but many like him still roam Washington DC, and my guess is the geniuses among them will never be caught. So, that said, lobbying should be illegal, period.

[@atlasgunther8947]

very honest about dishonesty

[@lukealbright7980]

So my question here is. What is the big difference in what he did, and in some company donating millions to a political campaign knowing that politician will then act in their favor? Because political donations are completely legal, no?

[@susankeber88]

Why is Jack Abramoff the only lobbyist who has gone to jail? There are so many others all in bed together. Sickening.

[@RigelOrionBeta]

Like Jack mentioned near the end - he was arrogant. He was like the teenager who thinks is invincible. Capone wasn't jailed for all the murders, theft and corruption he committed, but tax evasion. If he just paid his damn taxes like everyone else, instead of being greedy, he would have lived his last years in freedom. The other lobbyists should surely also be in jail, but they do not flaunt their power. If he hadn't overcharged his client or evaded taxes, perhaps only taken a few millions every year instead of a few tens of million, then he would have flown under the radar.

[@mr.boomguy]

Susan McGraw Keber - Because he's the only one hornest about it.

[@TheorizingWithBen]

@@RigelOrionBeta They could only bust Capone on tax evasion since Capone maneuvered around everything else. The FBI had to keep the witness bookkeepers in hiding so they wouldn't be bumped before testifying.

[@Flawda986]

Susan McGraw Keber LOL yeah and he’s back to his old ways, lobbying and fundraising and corrupting in 2019 under a Super PAC called Protect American Values.

[@tusepagliacco]

I like this very much! These people being interviewed come off as totally honest and no shame in telling the truth.

[@kaibaCorpHQ]

You shouldn't go into public service to get rich, it should be to serve the public...

[@MG-kj2fx]

You have to look at those people who are homeless, because of sickness or something they didn’t count on, and wonder why our government is living in the law of luxury. We need to govern our government. They are untouchable, and it makes me sad.

[@commonsense31]

I have a lot of respect for him to actually tell everything on how he done it, and talk about how destructive his work was

[@OnlyTeaGuru]

He meditated in jail and realized how fucked up his life was

[@mr.boomguy]

Kate Hudson - Buitiful comment 😊. So true!

[@transcendentalaesthetic]

Most notorious and crooked??? Please! He just happened to get caught!

[@zemzem8323]

The system will never change he was just a pawn ♟ in the game. He gets caught new players come in the game.

[@weylancraig2595]

I have seen this video many times and Jack's voice now makes me mad. I'm with Leslie on this one. He and the politicians involved are what turn people off of politics.

[@jameshuseby6290]

I think you should bring him and Senator Elizabeth Warren on 60 minutes and have a joint discussion about reforms in Washington that would work to clean up big money flowing into the Senate and Congress and the influence it has on the members like Minority leader Mitch multi millionaire McConnell and others like him and their ability to stop any legislation reform bills to get though the Senate and Congress

[@DutchessForever]

How is it this guy is already walking free? thats the real question!

[@Jeanne90275]

Three and 1/2 years...that will teach him! Sickening...

[@MooTaters]

It's like hacking law plain and simple. When it comes down to hacking there always seems to be some hole, same thing here except many don't want these holes patched.

[@marcweers]

ok then list all those you "bought" or did work for and convict them too...this way it will cut down on those thinking its only the lobbiest fault or crime....

[@2indulgent]

@Kultmannen ....Furthermore, financing from any source other than the public financing allotment would never be allowed under penalty of law and disqualification of candidacy. One of the stipulations for public financing would be full disclosure of every dollar spent. Otherwise, a person would not be able to run for public office. Period. The amount of graft and corruption this would eliminate would totally change this nation.

[@Rekcolbkcoc]

scrolled through at least 20 comments and not one joke about his name. come on people, thats comedy gold right there

[@major600]

I see him more as a "Catch Me If You Can" type crook: one who got his head straight and is now trying to do good with his knowledge. It doesn't sound like one thing he did was actually illegal at the time he was doing it. It was simply unethical. How do you get convicted for "overcharging" Indian tribes?

[@RigelOrionBeta]

He was paid by Indian tribes to do a certain amount of work. He either didn't do that amount of work or didn't use the resources he claimed that it took to do that. If I'm a mechanic fixing your car and I tell you it costs 100 dollars to replace your muffler, but it actually only costs 10, if the laws are set up in a certain way, I could say you are overcharging me. He was also caught on tax evasion.

[@honestnewsnet]

If they didn’t get caught it, they’ll be doing it today.

[@wyseave]

They are doing it today, 😆

[@nomadproductions2812]

still the most important piece 60 minutes ever did

[@TrulyMadlyShallowly]

Note that he was not a whistleblower - the press unmasked him.

[@MrJpow22]

Sickening and saddening. At least he is doing his part to shed some light on what is really going on. We need a complete restart in the country for the sake of our kids and our kids kids.

[@paulmryglod4802]

I like how he knows it is wrong, but waited until he got his millions and was busted before doing anything ethical about it.

[@wendigodeadpatterson2514]

Better now than never

[@mariojimenezgarcia4312]

Exactly. And what’s worse now that he’s been caught he’s ratting out on those still in there. Not that what they’re doing is right, but it tells you the kind of shameless person he still is. A leopard can’t change its colors.

[@jrlagoni]

Yes, he's sorry because he got caught. Lol

[@pgadeb]

Ron Paul is one of those rare *uncorruptables* Lobbyists just keep walking, knowing they'd be wasting their time.

[@christopherdavis163]

This interview and content was 9 years ago…imagine what has went on since then!!!???!!

[@honestnewsnet]

How money STILL corrupts Washington.

[@AlexanderMccarthey87]

I didn't know we were in agreement about so many things.

[@edwinreyes8106]

We the sheeple allow this to happen.

[@archivaldoWillyCast]

I’m following this genius lobby playbook

[@upplsuckimcool16]

It's ridiculous. What is JUST as ridiculous is how surprised some people were to find this out. LOL This, to some people, is actually news. Like they didn't know about this for the passed 25 years.

[@diontaedaughtry974]

Great video 👍👍

[@skylervanderpool3522]

oh. my. gosh.

[@elijahculper5522]

Leslie Stahl crushed this segment.

[@Crabtownresller]

why didn't the congressman and staffers go to jail...smh

[@spookreap]

Every American should educate themselves about the corruption in our system and vote locally to change the laws. Until lobbying stops the few run country while most Americans suffer. It’s sickening and a disgrace.

[@KaleSerpent]

Corrupt the gov't, get 3 years in prison.

[@jeffb5785]

Two Questions. How many politicians that he bought were punished ? Why hasn't anyone discussed making Lobbying illegal? It seems like a no-brainer.

[@ktstt65]

WOW! Unbelievable

[@kelamesh]

@dlhsonic I think you hit the nail on the head. One party is not to be blamed over the other. The situation is that NONE can be trusted to have our better interest in mind. I admit I have a tougher time dealing w/Conservatives simply because their NEED FOR GREED or avarice as you so delightfully put it. But lobbyist come from both sides. Change is needed and therefore should be demanded.

[@jus1085]

Just ban lobbying from Washington. Problem solved. Also to become a representative of this country, you have to want it so bad that you have to sell your stocks, leave boards, and completely dedicate yourself to the Nation. The only income you can have is what you make from being a representative. It is not a position of power, it is a position of representation.

[@MrWompz]

I hope he learned his lesson, and if he did I hope he joins us against the corrupt system.

[@frontdoorphotography4951]

indited again June 2020, makes me sick

[@sarahmulugeta6661]

happens all the time

[@jonsmalls9560]

"When you're done GO HOME" haha

[@sevengramrocks2746]

Its not a gift if you expect something in return. The action that was described would be more accurately summed up as simply one side of a transaction.

[@jamesmarshall5420]

A night janitor, that's rich. I guess after being a senior Washington staffer that is the only job you are qualified for.

[@aaronsenglish8340]

At least these people are willing to talk about this, for every 1 lobbyist or politician speaking up, there are probably several others silently still involved

[@robertwilliams2720]

Lol no change whatsoever 🤣 We still have 11,000 lobbyists

[@EYEBALLKLOTT]

Thanks for your collection of opinions here! What would you do if you were in the position [in question]? I toss everything I hear come through. As much as possible, I reflect it.

[@ej2333]

How can such smart people, do stupid things...Now I got to read those bills!

[@Wenutz]

And they say the 99% have nothing to complain about... How about this?

[@milanimorales2645]

The interviewer looks so concerned and disgusted at the same time. And folks blame everyone on the lower end of the scale, the working families, moms, big families, homeless, poor.

[@ESX888]

The irony of this story is that 60 Minutes is benefiting from access to this information and the name Abramoff. They are paying for this access by plugging his book and keeping him in the news. 60 minutes boosts their ratings (and ad sales) and Mr Abramoff boost his profile and book sales. Abramoff is making money by being a "reformer" now. 60 Minutes is playing it safe by working with him, rather than looking into the current system and players.

[@tientlam1589]

Well..I am not surprised watching this 🎥..It's reminding me of the story that was told when I was teenager that when my Dad was working as high ranking government officials== tax auditor against the crooks in Vietnam in the 60's..There were so much corruptions that bribery was the norm..Yearly, he refused so much of those bribery but then ended up living in fear of dead threats of his wife and kids would be kidnapped..What a shame for such government's systems..Well..Eventually, he had to resign from his position due to opposing to the corrupted crooks related to the current President==>the end of his hard working career that he loved and proud of..This is called REALITY OF LIFESTYLE of CORPORATIONS CORRUPTION 🤝 Government's Systems..Nothing has ever changed as similar as those "OLDEST💋 PROFESSIONS 💋IN THE WORLD"..😉😉..

[@CobraPR893]

How many of this people went to jail? These people should have been put in jail and thrown away the key. 3.5 years in jail for millions of dollars is a sweatttt deal.

[@2indulgent]

@Kultmannen...Thanks for asking. Purely public financing of all elections would require one to qualify their candidacy for public financing by showing enough public support through valid petition signatures. So every qualifying candidate would receive the same amount of campaign funding. No longer would one's chances of election be based on how personally wealthy one is, but even more importantly, their chances would not hinge on how deeply they brown-nose the corporate interests.

[@honestnewsnet]

They should make all congressmen and senators reveal what their net worth is. There should be full transparency.

[@gangstamind187]

@LibertyMike1 yes.

[@robtamburrini9262]

Selling your country is a crime. Life time jail!

[@anurre5]

only 4 years of prision? i want to believe this guy has become a different person, but i don't know that i ever will.

[@budziebudzie6492]

When you have to ask if its legal, 9 out 10 its not.

[@lehua1086209]

yo i have to watch this for public speaking someone should write my discussion on the views of lobbyists

[@Flawda986]

It’s funny how all the blame goes on this one guy, but the fact is, our legislators and those staffers put money above Americans. They were willing to take money and entertainment to overlook doing their job. Corporations need to be out of there, and these activities need to all be illegal, and all parties should be punished.

[@deniselynn1260]

He's going to pay off a $24 million dollar bill working at a pizza place?

[@lesahenderson7365]

Lesley Stahl is really a disappointment.

[@jr427]

Hahaha

[@dissdad8744]

*This guy actually also supported the murderous apartheid regime and it's terrorist militias Unita (in Angola) and Renamo (in Mozambique) who caused havoc and destruction in Southern Africa in the 1980s. But that doesn't seem to bother anyone in the US.*

[@thedirtydemocrat]

+Ike Haze So did all the Pentecostal Churches by preaching hate of gays. Thousands were murdered just because of that.

[@joshuasoapes353]

There are individuals that operate at these levels who could deserve a death penalty. Judges need to increase there sentencing guidelines. As its not fair to allow people who make the laws to set there own sentences. And why does every sentence end with "a prison sentence?"

[@Benzo18769]

The ones accepting the money should have been in trouble too

[@allisongroves4246]

Does anyone know a link to the casino bill loophole?

[@stinkbandit]

Should have been stripped of his citizenship. He would still be doing his dirty deeds had he not been caught. He should be wearing a sandwich board for the rest of his life that reads, I'm a lying, conniving thief." He's a coward. How can anyone believe a word that every comes out of his pie hole.

[@corners3755]

im Shocked hes telling us anything after the fact

[@justinkirschenman2232]

I don't understand why he has to pay the Indian tribes. Because they were "overcharged" (something that is only possible if there is a standard) for an illegal act (how is there a standard for an illegal act?) their accomplice owes them money? It doesn't make sense.

[@kirbyman1kanden7pf]

You're not supposed to lobby against your own clients

[@floridagrandpa]

This is why we need a constitutional amendment to bar corporations and unions from making campaign donations and limit what individuals can contribute.

[@harlow743]

He was totally blinded by MONEY "Mr Smith Goes To Washington"

[@budziebudzie6492]

Its only wrong when you get caught.

[@johnbixbybixbyking5007]

Leslay Stahl at 9:25 is everyone who watches this.

[@ddubbWLKR]

How much do you think 60 min offered this guy?

[@TheCareertalk]

It just shows how persuasive he must've been.

[@IrhanFilms]

the really hustle...

[@MrHbc3]

And "we" voted for all of this. "I can get more of other people's money for you than he can. " Winston Churchill once said that "the most persuasive argument against democracy was a five minute conversation with the average voter". He wasn't against democracy, but he could see some problems with it.

[@drakezen]

Not a single one is sympathetic to the world that they have created and the people that they've destroyed. They have brought the U.S. capabilities back several decades. I love how he admits guilt but somehow tries to justify it by saying he was 'swept up' by the environment that he created. It's like a murderer saying "Yes, murder is horrible. That was a horrible crime. I couldn't believe what was going on at that time. I got vitimized by the situation. Poor me." what the hell??

[@therockfordfiles2247]

scary stuff. the 80s was a crazy decade

[@sharpieton]

wow..

[@Joshtow167]

Sickening

[@dannyt2892]

Gotta say this is a real hustler for me, all these drug dealers making millions and getting 100yrs this man made billions and got 4yrs .. that's how u do it in my eyes