A former congressional staffer and high-ranking official for the Northern Mariana Islands has been charged with using his political influence to help Jack Abramoff, the convicted Republican “super-lobbyist”, commit fraud.
Mark Zachares, who was described in an indictment released on Monday as a personal and professional acquaintance of Mr Abramoff, was allegedly bought off by the former lobbyist with promises of future employment, a lavish golfing trip to St Andrews in Scotland, payments totalling $10,000 (€7,364, £4,998) in cash and other perks.
