This just in...Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty today to federal charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, and mail fraud. According to the AP, the papers filed today:

detailed lavish gifts and contributions that it said Abramoff gave an unnamed House member, identified elsewhere as Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Administration Committee, in return for Ney's agreement to use his office to aid Abramoff clients.

Abramoff agreed with the judge when she said that he had engaged in a conspiracy involving "corruption of public officials."The lobbyist also agreed when she said he and others had engaged in a scheme to provide campaign contributions, trips and other items "in exchange for certain official acts." ...

Court papers said Abramoff corruptly gave "money, meals,trips and entertainment to public officials and their relatives with the intent to influence and in return for agreements to perform official acts" benefiting Abramoff, Scanlon and their clients. The papers said Abramoff caused former congressional aides to lobby their former bosses within a one-year window of employment, during which they are barred from such activities.

At least as reported by the AP, Abramoff's guilty plea doesn't give us any new information. We knew all about Bob Ney, didn't we? But what will be big news in the weeks to come and Abramoff cooperates with federal investigators is how many other lawmakers and aides this scandal will encompass. Stay tuned...