Mark Zachares
Encyclopedia
Mark Zachares is a former Congressional aide to Rep. Don Young
(R-AK) and lobbyist who pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyist Jack Abramoff
in return for using his position in Congress to advance Abramoff's interests.
Zachares became acquainted with Jack Abramoff while serving as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Immigration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (“the CNMI”); Abramoff was a lobbyist for business interests of the U.S. territory
. The Anchorage Daily News described their relationship developing in the following way
Zachares received $10,000 from Abramoff's false charity, Capital Athletic Foundation
in two payments. The first came while he was secretary, the second after leaving the job.
Starting after the 2000 election and a number of months afterwards, Abramoff attempted to convince the White House to hire Mark Zachares as the head of the Interior Department's Office of Insular Affairs
.
In 2002 Abarmoff helped Zachares secure a job as legal counsel to its Oversight & Investigations subcommittee, then became staff director for the Coast Guard & Maritime subcommittee -- both overseen by Rep. Don Young
, who served on the committee that oversees insular affairs, the House Resources Committee. "While doing favors for Abramoff from his positions on Young’s committee, Zachares was rewarded with all kinds of favors, from being invited on a $160,000 golf trip to Scotland to use of Abramoff’s luxury box seats at the MCI Center in Washington where the Wizards of the NBA and Capitals of the NHL play.", $30,000 worth of sporting and event tickets from Abramoff, free meals and drinks at Signatures Restaurant
, and free rounds of golf at Woodmore Country Club, where Abramoff was a member.
Zachares, as part of his plea bargain, agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, who, in exchange, would also refrain from prosecuting Zachares' wife, Cynthia.
Don Young
Donald Edwin "Don" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1973. He is a member of the Republican Party.Young is the 6th most senior U.S. Representative and the 2nd most senior Republican Representative, as well as the 2nd most senior Republican in Congress as a whole...
(R-AK) and lobbyist who pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyist Jack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff is an American former lobbyist and businessman. Convicted in 2006 of mail fraud and conspiracy, he was at the heart of an extensive corruption investigation that led to the conviction of White House officials J. Steven Griles and David Safavian, U.S. Representative Bob Ney, and nine...
in return for using his position in Congress to advance Abramoff's interests.
| Pled guilty | Sentenced | Sentence | Started serving | Current location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2007 |
Zachares became acquainted with Jack Abramoff while serving as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Immigration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (“the CNMI”); Abramoff was a lobbyist for business interests of the U.S. territory
Jack Abramoff CNMI scandal
The Jack Abramoff CNMI scandal involves the efforts of Jack Abramoff, other lobbyists, and government officials to change or prevent, or both, Congressional action regarding the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and businesses on Saipan, its capital, commercial center, and one of its...
. The Anchorage Daily News described their relationship developing in the following way
Abramoff was the commonwealth’s lobbyist. According to the Saipan Tribune, he was paid at least $11 million from 1994 to 2001 to prevent Congress from interfering with local regulation of wage rates and immigration - the two issues under Zachares’ authority. “Beginning in the mid-1990s, Zachares came to have extensive contact with Abramoff during Zachares’ tenure as an official of the CNMI, and Zachares and Abramoff became personal and professional acquaintances,” the charging document said."
Zachares received $10,000 from Abramoff's false charity, Capital Athletic Foundation
Capital Athletic Foundation
The Capital Athletic Foundation is a 501 charity organization founded in 2000. The organization's nominal purpose was to provide needy youths with athletic opportunities. The organization has been used by its founder, Jack Abramoff, as a front group for channeling money into his own political...
in two payments. The first came while he was secretary, the second after leaving the job.
Starting after the 2000 election and a number of months afterwards, Abramoff attempted to convince the White House to hire Mark Zachares as the head of the Interior Department's Office of Insular Affairs
Office of Insular Affairs
The Office of Insular Affairs is a unit of the United States Department of the Interior that oversees federal administration of several United States possessions...
.
In 2002 Abarmoff helped Zachares secure a job as legal counsel to its Oversight & Investigations subcommittee, then became staff director for the Coast Guard & Maritime subcommittee -- both overseen by Rep. Don Young
Don Young
Donald Edwin "Don" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1973. He is a member of the Republican Party.Young is the 6th most senior U.S. Representative and the 2nd most senior Republican Representative, as well as the 2nd most senior Republican in Congress as a whole...
, who served on the committee that oversees insular affairs, the House Resources Committee. "While doing favors for Abramoff from his positions on Young’s committee, Zachares was rewarded with all kinds of favors, from being invited on a $160,000 golf trip to Scotland to use of Abramoff’s luxury box seats at the MCI Center in Washington where the Wizards of the NBA and Capitals of the NHL play.", $30,000 worth of sporting and event tickets from Abramoff, free meals and drinks at Signatures Restaurant
Signatures Restaurant
Signatures Restaurant is the Washington D.C. restaurant opened by Jack Abramoff. Expensive and lavishly appointed with expensive memorabilia, Villeroy & Boch chargers and Christofle flatware, Signatures was used by Abramoff in coordination with his skyboxes and foreign trips to spend money...
, and free rounds of golf at Woodmore Country Club, where Abramoff was a member.
Zachares, as part of his plea bargain, agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, who, in exchange, would also refrain from prosecuting Zachares' wife, Cynthia.