Opinion ID: 425171
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Abscam's Introduction to Kelly

Text: 7 In the early part of September 1979, Amoroso sought Rosenberg's aid in obtaining political assistance for his Arab employers. Amoroso told Rosenberg that he was interested in meeting congressmen willing to introduce legislation which would give the Arabs permanent resident status and that the congressmen, as well as the individuals recruiting the congressmen, would be paid for their assistance. 10 In October 1979 Rosenberg related the proposal to his business associate, accountant Stanley Weisz. 11 Rosenberg told Weisz that the Arabs were concerned that they might have problems staying in the United States and wanted to meet congressmen who would introduce favorable legislation. Rosenberg suggested that Weisz would receive a fee for the proper introductions. 12 Weisz responded that he did not know any congressmen. 13 8 On November 20, 1979, Weisz, while on vacation in Boynton Beach, Florida, met with his longtime business associate, Eugene Ciuzio. 14 During their conversation, Weisz related the wealthy Arabs' need to make friends with congressmen, explaining that they were bringing a lot of money to [the United States] for investment and were worried that they might have difficulty staying in this country. 15 Ciuzio replied that he was working with a Congressman who might be willing to help the Arabs and indicated that he would check with the Congressman and get back to Weisz. For his part, Weisz agreed to contact Rosenberg and, if the Arabs were still interested, have Rosenberg call Ciuzio. 16 A few days later Ciuzio called Weisz in Boynton Beach and told him that the Congressman was interested in helping the Arabs. 17 9 In mid-December 1979 Rosenberg stopped by Weisz' office and again mentioned his work for the wealthy Arabs. Weisz informed Rosenberg of Ciuzio's friendship with a Florida Congressman who was willing to help the Arabs with their immigration troubles if they were still interested. 18 Rosenberg checked with Amoroso and Weinberg, and then called Weisz and told him that the Arabs' representatives were very interested in meeting the Congressman. Rosenberg indicated to Weisz that the Arabs would pay $250,000 for such an introduction and that he wanted $50,000 of that sum. 19 Weisz gave Rosenberg Ciuzio's telephone number, and agreed to call Ciuzio and ask him to call Weinberg. Weisz called Ciuzio and told him of the Arabs' continued interest in meeting congressmen and of the $250,000 fee, and to expect a call from Weinberg. Ciuzio and Weisz agreed that Weisz, like Rosenberg, would receive $50,000. 20 Meanwhile, Rosenberg called Weinberg and gave him Ciuzio's name and telephone number, explaining that Ciuzio was the connection to the Congressman and that Weinberg would have to deal through Ciuzio. 21 10 As a result of these efforts, Amoroso and Weinberg met with Ciuzio on December 19, 1979, in Hollywood, Florida, to discuss the transaction. Amoroso explained the assistance that would be expected of the Congressman: 11 These [Arabs] are smart enough, they're investing their money all over the world .... They figure at some point in time they're gonna have to ... get outa there .... Now where is the best place to come and live but this country? ... So what they're doin is they're startin' to put themselves in a position so that when ... they come here ... we [can] call the Congressman and say, hey look, the [Arabs are] here [and] ... we want ya to introduce the legislation now to keep em here. 22 12 Weinberg indicated that the Arabs were willing to pay a total of $250,000, with $100,000 going to the Congressman, for the Congressman's assistance. He suggested that the Congressman be paid $25,000 at an initial meeting, with the balance paid when legislation was required. 23 Weinberg made it clear that the meeting and payment of $25,000 was to assure the Arabs that the Congressman 13 got the money [and] when we're ready to move that he is gonna be with us. 24 14 Ciuzio told Amoroso and Weinberg that the individual was Congressman Richard Kelly and intimated that he and Kelly had had previous dealings of a similar nature. 25 Ciuzio indicated that he understood the nature of the proposal, 26 revealing that Weisz had outlined it for him over lunch in Florida: 15 I met Stanley [Weisz] at Boy[n]ton Beach .... We had lunch at Bernard's. He says hey ya know a Congressman? Yeah. [He says] I got a ... Sheik ... [with] 30 billion .... He says, they gotta get 'em in [the] country. I said unless he's a f---in fugitive ... I guess it can be done. He says ya really got a Congressman? I says we're engaged, ya know what I mean? We're that f---in tight. 27 16 Ciuzio also indicated that in a later conversation Weisz had given him the $250,000 figure and that they had arrived at a split of $100,000 for Kelly because that['s] what [Kelly] needs to straighten his whole life out. 28 Ciuzio claimed to have explained the proposal to Kelly and that Kelly had left the arrangements to him. 29 17 Noting that he was obligated to protect [Kelly] in the sensible way, Ciuzio opposed a direct payment to Kelly and suggested that the money instead be escrowed through Weisz. 30 Amoroso assured him that a private meeting between Amoroso and Kelly would protect the Congressman, and that the wealthy Arabs would invest in Kelly's district to provide an explanation for Kelly's assistance. 31 Ciuzio agreed to lay out the story for Kelly, but only if he received clearance from Weisz because it was his package. 32 Amoroso and Weinberg suggested that Ciuzio set up the meeting for January 8 or 9, 1980, at Abdul Enterprises' Washington, D.C., townhouse. 33 18 On December 20, 1979, Weinberg called Ciuzio and inquired if Ciuzio had spoken with Weisz about the deal. Ciuzio said that he had not, but that he had talked to Kelly. Kelly had called him from his congressional office and Ciuzio asked Kelly to call back from a public phone booth to discuss the transaction. 34 On December 21, 1979, Ciuzio called Weinberg and indicated that he had spoken to Kelly and told him to stand by. Ciuzio said that Kelly was available for a January 8 meeting in Washington. 35 19 Ciuzio also told Weinberg that he had discussed the deal with Weisz and reiterated that he and Weisz did not like the idea of the money being paid directly to the Congressman. Ciuzio again suggested that Weisz handle all the money. 36 Weinberg insisted that Kelly be directly involved in the transaction, but indicated that 20 [a]ll he [Amoroso] wants the Congressman [to do] is to tell him what he's gonna do for him for the money. 37 21 [A]fter that, Weinberg asserted, I don't give a damn who comes and picks money up or what you do with it. 38 Ciuzio agreed, but requested that they use the right script, nice and soft. 39 22 On January 8, 1980, Weisz and Rosenberg flew together from Long Island, New York, to National Airport in Washington, D.C., where they were met by Ciuzio, who had arrived from Orlando, Florida, earlier in the day. The three of them checked into the Twin Bridges Marriott and then went to the Madison Hotel where they were to meet Kelly for dinner. Kelly was delayed, however, and arrived only after they had finished dinner. After a brief conversation over coffee, Rosenberg called Weinberg, who sent Abdul Enterprises' limousine to bring the four men to the Georgetown townhouse. 40