Every time I read something related to Abramoff I am reminded of the charges against Tom Delay and wonder what’s going on with that case. The Texas courts ruled this week that the dismissal of the conspiracy charge stands. He’s still charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. No trial date set. I’m still hoping upon hope that he’s convicted.

California Rep. John Doolittle said Thursday that the Justice Department has issued subpoenas to him and five of his staff members seeking office records going back 11 years in connection to the congressman’s relationship with jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Doolittle’s attorney indicated that he might fight having to comply.

Doolittle, a Republican, declined further comment about the subpoenas. But his criminal defense attorney, David Barger, said in a prepared statement that the subpoenas “raise serious constitutional issues going to the very core” of the separation of powers between the Congress and the executive branch.

The statement didn’t say what records are being sought but said they include “virtually every record, including legislative records, for the congressman for the past 11 years.”

That would indicate that prosecutors want to review records dating from 1996, which is about the time Doolittle would have met Abramoff.

In an interview in February 2006, Doolittle said he couldn’t recall exactly when he met Abramoff but thought it was at a fundraiser held for someone other than him. The first political contribution by Abramoff on the records of the Federal Election Commission was $1,000 on Jan. 22, 1997, to former Rep. Tom DeLay, the Texas Republican who later became House majority leader. Doolittle was a friend and loyal lieutenant to DeLay.

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