Appeals Court Throws Out Safavian Conviction
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WASHINGTON — A U.S. appeals court yesterday ordered a new trial for a former White House aide who was convicted on charges of lying and obstructing justice in the investigation of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
A three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit threw out David H. Safavian’s conviction on charges of lying to an ethics officer at the General Services Administration, where he had been chief of staff, and an investigator for the GSA’s inspector general.
Mr. Safavian was convicted in June 2006 of covering up his efforts to assist Abramoff in acquiring two properties controlled by the GSA, including the historic Old Post Office in Washington. He also was convicted of concealing information about a lavish golfing excursion to Scotland and London with Abramoff in the summer of 2002. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison but has been free while he appealed.
