Jack Abramoff rises to power as one the most successful lobbyist of all time. But, behind the scenes he is profiting beyond his success. Abramoff collects millions of dollars in inflated lobbying and legal fees from clients and uses that money on gifts and political donations to members of Congress. When the corruption becomes publicly known, an investigation by the Justice Department leads to his conviction along with other Washington power players.
● February 28, 1958 Jack Abramoff is born to Jane and Franklin Abramoff in Atlantic City, NJ.
● 1981 Abramoff comes to Washington after graduating from Brandeis University. He runs for national chairman of the College Republicans, where he meets and forms a lifelong relationship with Adam Kidan.
● 1994 The GOP wins control of House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. Abramoff begins lobbying for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S Commonwealth.
● 1997 Abramoff begins to arrange trips for lawmakers and congressmen. Some of these trips include include golf outings to England and Scotland, the Marianas Islands, and to golf's U.S. Open. Travel to the U.S. Open is aboard a corporate jet belonging to SunCruz Casinos.
● September 2000 Abramoff and Adam Kidan purchase SunCruz Casinos.
● February 2001. The former owner of SunCruz Casinos, Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis, is shot to death in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
● February 2004 The Washington Post reports that Abramoff and Scanlon have received at least $45 million from tribes with casinos.
● March 2004 Senator John McCain begins investigating Abramoff after the Washington Post article comes out.
● August 2005 Abramoff and Kidan are indicted on fraud and conspiracy charges in Florida in connection with their purchase of SunCruz Casinos.
● September 2005 Three men, including two associates of Kidan's, are indicted on murder and conspiracy charges in the killing of Gus Boulis.
● December 2005: Kidan pleads guilty in the SunCruz case. Both Scanlon and Kidan testify against Abramoff.
● January 2006 Abramoff pleads guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials. He cooperates in an investigation into his dealings with members of Congress.
● March 2006 Abramoff is sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison for his role in the SunCruz Scandal.
● November 2008 Abramoff is sentenced to 4 years for his role in the Indian Tribal scandal.
● March 2010 Abramoff is released from prison after serving only 43 months. He is remitted to a halfway house until December 2010.