Safavian... another day in court

The WP this morning has more on the e-mail trail between David Safavian, the former OFPP administrator and former GSA chief of staff who is now facing charges in connection with the whole Abramoff deal.

The story, headlined "E-Mail Trail From Abramoff Included GSA Bargain Hunting," says that lobbyist Jack Abramoff sought to use his connections with Safavian while at GSA to get a good deal.

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff gained renown in Washington for both his big fees and his big spending, but that didn't mean he couldn't look for a bargain.

On Aug. 21, 2002, he sent an e-mail to his friend David H. Safavian, chief of staff at the General Services Administration. "I have a need to buy a stretch limo for the restaurant," Abramoff wrote, referring to Signatures, the downtown establishment he owned. "Are there any coming up on any of the GSA drug property sales?"

Safavian, according to the documents recently filed by Justice Department prosecutors at U.S. District Court, wrote back that the GSA does not auction off seized cars. But he added that he was ready to help: "Let me call a friend at the Marshall's Service. They handle drug seizures."

Abramoff replied: "I was thinking of the druggies bounty. No problem. Thanks, see you Friday."