“Capitol Punishment” by Jack Abramoff is a worthwhile read for all business owners for several reasons:

We all have a tendency to believe we are straight and narrow in our day to day business dealings. But what happens when the real success hits? I mean once we have really hit the big time with money rolling in and business activity becomes fast and furious! Regardless of how straight we (think) we are ethically, morally or spiritually rapid success can throw us off course if we are not careful.  This is what happened to Abramoff. Here is a very devout Jewish man deeply committed following all the tenants of his faith plus contributing to community and charitable projects in a genuine and generous way. As his practice grew exponentially with client fees each exceeding $100K per month he began losing his moral compass little by little until his results-only practice began crossing ethical boundaries.

Compromise leads to rationalization and a rapid pace business environment can accelerate principled lapse. Jack Abramoff convinced himself that he was following an upright path both in terms of ethics and fiduciary regard to his clients. He got results leading to enormous profits for his customers. He became very good at what he did. The problem became the tactics used to get those results. Everything seemed to him upright at the time yet when the court proceedings began and he reviewed past emails and other evidence against him only then did he realize his folly.

Once exposed life can be very lonely. Friends and closest affiliates often distance themselves from individuals who are in trouble. This is understandable as most of us do not want to be painted with the same brush as out criminal friends; our own individual credibility can be at stake as well. Suddenly the perp finds him or herself in a situation having to weather one of life’s most horrific storms without a support group behind them. This of course happened to Abramoff as many of his closest contacts were high-profiled representatives who could little afford the publicity hit surely to come with such an association. In Jack’s case, many of these affiliates who benefited from their dealings with him actually turned on him becoming prosecutors.

Consequences can be very severe. The prosecutorial phase was hell on earth for Abramoff and he ultimately went to prison for several years. He describes in his book quite well the pain and emotional strain of being pulled away from his family and how they suffered as a result. He also tells of the harassment he received during his first 18 months by prison authorities feeling the need to keep him in check by locking him down and taking away privileges for routine actions the prison authorities ruled infractions. Even a medium security prison like the one he was in is no picnic! Then there is the issue of trying to get your reputation back and resume a normal life; a difficult endeavor under the circumstances.

The Washington Establishment needs lobbyists in spite of the negative publicity we see about the profession. In reading the book, I learned how these people act as a counter-weight to an otherwise uncontrolled legislature. All too often a rogue Senator or Congressman will attempt to slip last-minute wording to existing legislative bills working their way through congress that may not be in the best national interest and serves their own self-interest. Lobbyists watch for these measures and can get it stopped before it is officially passed as law. On the other hand this tactic is also used by lobbyists through their congressional relationships that can have the same adverse effect. Anyone reading this book will learn a great deal about how legislation works including the outside influences both positive and negative.

Jack Abramoff paid a horrific price for his actions. I would suggest it could happen to any of us business owners. Being moral, ethical, and spiritual is important but it is not enough to keep us on the right path in the face of enormous success. Staying on track in success requires accountability partners, spiritual insight, and discernment at all times. Most of all it requires a solid spiritual anchor.