Ex-Con Jack Abramoff Works at Tov Pizza
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
On June 8, Jack Abramoff, the former bigshot lobbyist convicted of fraud, tax evasion, conspiracy and corruption, was released from prison and – economy be damned – he already has a job. Thanks to the good graces of Baltimore restaurant owner Ron Rosenbluth, Abramoff, an Orthodox Jew, will be working at a Tov Pizza 26-year-old kosher pizzeria.
“I think people get a second chance,” Rosenbluth told The Baltimore Sun. “If they do their time, they deserve a chance.”
In 2006, after a widely-publicized trial, Abramoff was sentenced to just under six years in federal prison, the minimum sentence for his crimes. In 2008, an additional four-year sentence was added, which he was serving concurrently. Abramoff’s early release, after just three and half years, was most likely a result of his cooperation with Justice Department investigators, which led to several convictions for elected officials including a Congressman and several Capitol Hill aides.
The Baltimore Jewish Times reported that Abramoff – who once owned and operated two popular kosher restaurants in Washington, D.C. – had already begun his new gig.
According to the Times, restaurant owner Rosenbluth was happy with his recent hiring decision. “We’re all Jews, we’re all on the same team,” he said.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
