Ex-Bush official guilty in U.S. lobbying scandal

WASHINGTON, June 20 (Reuters) A US jury today convicted a former Bush administration official of four counts of lying and obstructing justice in the first trial to be held in connection with the influence peddling scandal of lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

On the fifth day of deliberations, the jury found David Safavian -- a former chief of staff at the General Services Administration -- guilty of four of five counts of lying and obstructing justice. He was not convicted of one count of obstructing investigators.

Safavian, who showed little emotion as the verdict was read, was found guilty of lying about his relationship with Abramoff and his knowledge of the lobbyist's interest in acquiring properties from GSA, the property managing agency for the federal government.

The jury also found that he lied to a GSA ethics officer and concealed his assistance to Abramoff and obstructed justice in an agency investigation.

Safavian faces up to 20 years in prison for the four counts.

Sentencing was set for October. 12.

REUTERS MP PM2026