First conviction in the blame-the-Indians scandal

Former White House Aide Convicted in Abramoff InquiryA former White House aide was convicted today of lying to government investigators about his ties to the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, in the first trial to result from the influence-peddling inquiry centered on Mr. Abramoff.

The verdict was hailed by Justice Department officials as a victory in their wide-ranging criminal investigation of the lobbying operations run by Mr. Abramoff, a Republican fundraiser who pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to go bribe public officials, including members of Congress, and is cooperating with prosecutors.