PETALUMA, Calif., June 21, 2006 /PRNewswire/ Former Bush administration Chief Procurement Officer, David Safavian, was found guilty yesterday on four of five felony counts of lying and obstruction of justice in order to cover up his dealings with Jack Abramoff, the now infamous Republican influence-peddler. A sentencing date has yet to be set.

"Good start!" stated Lloyd Chapman, President of the American Small Business League. "Now that it's been determined that Safavian is a felon, everything that he touched at the General Services Administration needs to be looked at. The level of fraud and abuse that has been uncovered over the last 36 months could not have happened without the knowledge, consent, and approval of dozens of Federal procurement executives like David Safavian. There are many more people like him out there that we need to find and convict."

About the ASBL

The American Small Business League was formed to promote and advocate policies that provide the greatest opportunity for small businesses - the 98% of U.S. companies with less than 100 employees. The ASBL is founded on the principle that small businesses, the backbone of a vital American economy, should receive the fair treatment promised by the Small Business Act of 1953. Representing small businesses in all fields and industries throughout the United States, the ASBL monitors existing policies and proposed policy changes by the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies that affect its members.

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