David Safavian

Prior to this position he served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Chris Cannon. Earlier in his career, Mr. Safavian served as a Shareholder and Managing Partner for Janus-Merritt Strategies, L.L.C. and as an Associate Attorney for Preston, Gates and Ellis in Washington, D.C. He earned his bachelor's degree from St. Louis University, his J.D. from the Detroit College of Law, and his LLM from the Georgetown University Law Center. Was convicted in U.S. District Court of covering up his many efforts to assist Abramoff in acquiring two properties controlled by the GSA, and also of concealing facts about a lavish weeklong golf trip he took with Abramoff to Scotland and London in the summer of 2002. Neil G. Volz, a congressional aide-turned-lobbyist, testified against Safavian Besides Volz, the Justice Department has gotten guilty pleas from Abramoff associates Michael Scanlon, a public relations executive; Adam Kidan, a partner of Abramoff's in a Florida gambling-boat investment; and lobbyist Tony C. Rudy, once a top aide to former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.).