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New US lobbyist ties 'revealed' White House lobbyist ties 'wider'
(about 1 hour later)
Disgraced US lobbyist Jack Abramoff had more extensive links with the White House than it previously admitted, a Congressional inquiry is to report. Disgraced US lobbyist Jack Abramoff had more extensive contacts with the White House than it previously admitted, a Congressional inquiry is to report.
Mr Abramoff and his associates had as many as 480 contacts with the White House, a source close to the investigation has told the BBC. Mr Abramoff and his associates had as many as 480 contacts with the White House, according to draft copies of the report circulated to the media.
Correspondents say the findings could be embarrassing for the White House.Correspondents say the findings could be embarrassing for the White House.
But administration officials say the report was based on records which are "widely regarded as fraudulent".But administration officials say the report was based on records which are "widely regarded as fraudulent".
Mr Abramoff pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to bribe public officials and to other influence-peddling crimes.Mr Abramoff pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to bribe public officials and to other influence-peddling crimes.
Mixed resultsMixed results
The report alleges Mr Abramoff purchased expensive gifts and dinners for some White House officials and other Republicans, in attempts to gain their influence for his clients.The report alleges Mr Abramoff purchased expensive gifts and dinners for some White House officials and other Republicans, in attempts to gain their influence for his clients.
It is not clear whether these broke rules on lobbying.
Of 485 contacts listed in the report, 345 are described as meetings or other in-person contacts; 71 were telephone conversations and 69 were e-mail exchanges, the report says.
But it says that in many cases Mr Abramoff did not get the results he was seeking.But it says that in many cases Mr Abramoff did not get the results he was seeking.
President George W Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove was among Mr Abramoff's lobbying targets, the House Government Reform Committee report says.President George W Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove was among Mr Abramoff's lobbying targets, the House Government Reform Committee report says.
The White House has challenged the credibility of the report, which has been circulated to the media ahead of its official publication. The White House has challenged the credibility of the report, which draws on 14,000 pages of e-mails and billing records spanning three years ending in 2003.
It draws on 14,000 pages of e-mails and billing records spanning three years ending in 2003.
"The billing records that are the basis for this report are widely regarded as fraudulent in how they misrepresent Abramoff's activities and level of access," said deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino."The billing records that are the basis for this report are widely regarded as fraudulent in how they misrepresent Abramoff's activities and level of access," said deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino.
"There is no reason why they should suddenly be viewed as credible.""There is no reason why they should suddenly be viewed as credible."
Some of the contacts in the records could not be verified by the committee, the report said, according to the Associated Press news agency.
In his plea agreement, Mr Abramoff's admitted he had defrauded clients.
Correspondents say the report, published in the run-up to congressional mid-term elections in November, will allow Democrats to renew their charges of a "culture of corruption" against the administration.