y PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer Thu May 11, 7:25 AM ET

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's top procurement official offered his assistance to now-disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff as his lobbying empire began to crumble, according to e-mails released Wednesday by the White House.

"Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with damage control," David Safavian, who is now under indictment, messaged Abramoff on Feb. 22, 2004.

At the time, Safavian was working at the White House Office of Management and Budget. He later became administrator of federal procurement policy at OMB.

That morning, The Washington Post revealed how four of Abramoff's Indian tribal clients had paid $45 million, most of it to Abramoff partner Michael Scanlon.

Since then, both Abramoff and Scanlon have pleaded guilty in an influence peddling probe that encompasses Capitol Hill, the Interior Department and the Safavian case.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060511/...lobbyist_probe
Gumby Reviewed by Gumby on . E-Mails: Bush Aide Offered Abramoff Help y PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer Thu May 11, 7:25 AM ET WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's top procurement official offered his assistance to now-disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff as his lobbying empire began to crumble, according to e-mails released Wednesday by the White House. "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with damage control," David Safavian, who is now under indictment, messaged Abramoff on Feb. 22, 2004. At the time, Safavian was working at the White Rating: 5