Jack Abramoff: Guam Grand Jury Investigation

In 2002, Jack Abramoff was retained under a secret contract by the Guam Superior court to lobby against a bill proposing to put the Superior court under the authority of the Guam Supreme court.

The $324,000 was paid to Abramoff through a Laguna Beach, California lawyer by means of 36 checks of $9,000 each. If done to avoid the federal reporting requirements for payment transfers this would constitute illegal 'structuring' under 31 USC 5324(a). The form of payment might also be illegal if it was used to evade federal contracting rules requiring an open tender for contracts over $10,000.

On November 18, 2002, a grand jury issued a subpoena demanding that the administrator of the Guam superior court release all records relating to the contract.

On November 19, 2002, U.S. Atty. Frederick A. Black was unexpectedly demoted and removed from the office he had held since 1991 by President George W. Bush. The federal grand jury investigation was quickly wound down and took no further action.

In 2005, Public Auditor Doris Flores Brooks initiated a new investigation of the Abramoff contract which is continuing. "The new Guam inquiry remains open."