US territory in controversial 1.2 million dollar payment to rabbi

The government of the US Pacific territory of Northern Mariana Islands is investigating why US$ 1.2 million was paid to a rabbi close to a Jewish lobbyist who is under investigation. In 1996, Northern Mariana Islands paid the sum to rabbi David Lapin to promote “ethics in government.” Pam Brown, attorney general for the Marianas, said she could not figure out what the money bought. “We haven’t been able to figure out what the deliverables were,” she was quoted as saying in last Friday’s "New York Times". “He was tasked with providing some sort of ethical parameters for government work. That’s all I know at this point. We’re more amazed at the cost.” Abramoff lobbied to keep US labor laws from applying in the Marianas, where garment factories employ mostly Chinese laborers. Lapin’s brother, Daniel, also a rabbi and the head of a conservative interfaith group, introduced Abramoff to Congressman Tom DeLay in 1994. DeLay, now the majority leader, is under fire for his relationship with Abramoff.