Scanlon Pleads Guilty, Cooperates in Abramoff Probe (Update2)

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Scanlon, a former associate of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, pleaded guilty to conspiring to corrupt public officials and defraud clients, clearing the way for his cooperation in an investigation of his one-time partner.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle today accepted a plea agreement proposed by the Justice Department and Scanlon, which may help prosecutors widen the probe to include lawmakers. The Justice Department asked that sentencing be delayed while Scanlon cooperates. He faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and repayment of $19.7 million to clients.

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