HockeyDirt.com: NHL ref supports fraudster

Jack Abramoff is a high-powered Washington lobbyist recently convicted of defrauding investors in a gambling-cruise ship of $147 million. Two hundred & sixty people wrote letters of support or appeared before the sentencing judge in an effort to convince the court to go easy on Abramoff.

Among those coming to Abramoff support was NHL referee Dave Jackson. Think of Jackson as a courtroom "third-man-in."

"Jack is a good person, who in his quest to be successful, lost sight of the rules," National Hockey League referee Dave Jackson wrote, describing the time Abramoff brought 14 youngsters to his dressing room before a game.

Interesting judgement call from the ref. The next time Sean Avery takes one of his mindless penalties watch for Kings' coach John Torchetti to plead with Jackson for leniency. "Aw, come on Dave, cut us some slack. Sean's a little fuzzy on the rules but it's not like he's connected to the Gambino crime family or anything!"

Jackson's support appears to have helped. Abramoff received the minimum sentence - 5 years 10 months in prison. He remains at the center of a Washington investigation involving charges of bribing public officials, fraud & tax evasion.