Abramoff gets nearly 6 years

MIAMI -- Jack A. Abramoff, the once-powerful Washington lobbyist whose downfall has propelled a far-reaching congressional corruption investigation, was sentenced yesterday to five years and 10 months in prison for his role in the fraudulent purchase of a fleet of casino cruise boats.

US District Judge Paul Huck sentenced Abramoff, 47, and his former partner, Adam Kidan, 41, to the shortest possible prison terms under sentencing guidelines after prosecutors affirmed that both men have been aiding the ongoing law enforcement probes and had expressed remorse. Abramoff's lawyers said he has reviewed ''thousands of documents" in the effort, which could reach members of Congress, congressional staff members, and employees of federal agencies, including the Interior Department.

Abramoff, dressed in a gray double-breasted suit, appeared somber and detached during the proceedings.

In a subdued voice, he told the judge the day was ''incredibly painful" for himself, his family, and friends.

''Over the past two years, I have started the process of becoming a new man. I am much chastened and profoundly remorseful over the reckless and hurtful things I have done in my life, especially those which have brought me before you today.

''I can only hope that the Almighty and those whom I have wronged will forgive me my trespasses and that God grants me the time on this earth to make amends."

Abramoff also faces sentencing in Washington after his guilty plea in January to charges of fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe public officials. He could receive a prison term of more than nine years on those charges, but prosecutors have agreed to recommend that the sentences from that case and the Miami case be served concurrently.

His time in jail could be lowered further if he provides substantial assistance to corruption investigators, and both prosecutors and defense lawyers said he had been helpful so far.

''The literally hundreds of hours he has spent, the hundreds of thousands of documents he has reviewed, and the dozens of topics he has been assisting with in themselves would merit a sentence at the bottom of the stipulated range," lawyers Neal Sonnett and Abbe Lowell wrote in a court filing.

What he is telling investigators is not known, however.

''This is not the time to show all he's done," Lowell told the judge yesterday.

In pleading for the minimum sentence on the Florida charges, lawyers for each defendant laid most of the blame on the other for the gambling boat scam, in which Abramoff and Kidan faked a $23 million wire transfer in order to fraudulently obtain a $60 million loan for the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos.

Abramoff and Kidan pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud in the case, and under sentencing guidelines, each faced a minimum of five years and 10 months and a maximum of seven years and three months.

In addition to their prison terms, Huck ordered Abramoff and Kidan to pay restitution of $21.7 million and to serve three years' probation upon their release.

He also agreed to allow them at least 90 days before they go to prison so they can continue cooperating with investigators looking into government corruption and the gangland-style slaying in 2001 of former SunCruz owner Konstantin ''Gus" Boulis, with whom Abramoff and Kidan quarreled.

Three men have been charged with the killing, one of whom was hired by Kidan to provide catering and security services for SunCruz.

Abramoff and Kidan have denied any involvement in the death.