Former Congressional Legislative Assistant Pleads Guilty

Fails to Report Thousands of Dollars in Illegal Gifts From Lobbyists WASHINGTON Trevor L. Blackann, 34, a former legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate, has plead guilty to making a false statement on his 2003 tax returns by failing to report as income thousands of dollars in illegal gifts that he received from lobbyists. According to court documents, Blackann was employed throughout 2003 as a legislative assistant for a member of the U.S. Senate. Blackann was responsible for advising and counseling the Senator on matters of legislative interest and representing the Senator in communications with other congressional offices and staff, officials in the executive branch and members of the public. During his plea, Blackann admitted that he received things of value worth thousands of dollars from three lobbyists in 2003, including a free trip to attend the first game of the 2003 baseball World Series. According to court documents, the World Series trip included airline travel to and from New York City, transportation around New York City in a chauffeured sport utility vehicle, a ticket to game one of the World Series, a souvenir baseball jersey, admission to and entertainment at a gentlemens club following the game, and free meals and drinks. In his plea, Blackann admitted knowing that the World Series trip and other tickets, meals and drinks provided by the lobbyists were given to him for, or because of, official action the lobbyists were seeking from Blackann. Blackann also admitted understanding that he had a duty to report the value of things he received from lobbyists as income on his 2003 U.S. income tax return. The case is part of the ongoing investigation into the lobbying activities of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates. Fifteen individuals, including lobbyists and public officials, have pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial as a result of the investigation, including Abramoff who was sentenced in September 2008 to 48 months in prison.