A savvy reader writes, "Who ratted out Weldon? Hmm, which Washington lobbyist who represented Russian energy interests would know if Curt Weldon had hit up a Russian energy company for a job for his daughter? Oh yeah:

ABRAMOFF, JACK
WASHINGTON,DC 20006
GREENBERG TRAURIG/ATTORNEY
5/21/2003
$1,000
Weldon, Curt"

Interesting speculation, in any case. Invetigators presumably had everything the LAT reported in 2004, when it was published. So what new did they get alluded to in the Reuters report below that made them pursue this so vigorously now? That's where the Abramoff theory is interesting, while admittedly speculative.

Here's the key bit from the Reuters report: "A U.S. law enforcement official said the government investigation went beyond the 2004 allegations. He said the Justice Department had received additional information that 'has renewed interest in this issue.'"

Posted by Laura at October 16, 2006 09:17 PM