NO PRISON FOR ABRAMOFF CASE DEFENDANT. “A former Congressional staffer embroiled in the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal will avoid prison time after the judge in the case questioned why Members of Congress have mostly stayed off the hook in the Justice Department’s probe, the Associated Press reported Thursday.”  Roll Call.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER FCPA FINE. “Comverse Technology Inc. (CTI), a New York City headquartered corporation, has agreed to pay a $1.2 million penalty for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.”  DOJ Release.

SHUTDOWN AND FUNDRAISING. The Hill reports.

REPORT IN BLACK PANTHER PARTY CASE. Here.  “The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Representative John Conyers of Michigan, on Thursday released a 78-page Justice Department report about a much-disputed voter-intimidation case involving the New Black Panther Party, a radical fringe group.”

REDI$TRICTING. The Times. “Beyond hiring lobbyists, major players in Washington — including high-priced lawyers, union officials, House leaders and national party operatives — are spending time and money to influence how officials in state capitals design the political maps that will affect the balance of power in Congress for the next decade.”

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FEC YESTERDAY? The agency’s press release on yesteray’s public meeting is here.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.