The Abramoff-Al Qaeda Connection

It seems Al Qaeda spent a lot of time in a few Abramoff-linked casinos before 9-11.

Hijackers' Tracks in Las Vegas Gambling Strip Combed for Evidence of Several Terrorists
LAS VEGAS -- Additional FBI agents are being brought to this city to chase down hundreds of leads and track the movements of terrorists who repeatedly visited here in the months before the Sept. 11 attacks. Mohamed Atta, a suspected ringleader of the terrorist attack that left more than 5,000 people dead, made at least two trips here. In addition to Atta, authorities also believe that Marwan Al-Shehhi, Nawaf Alhazmi, Hani Hanjour and Ziad Samir Jarrah also visited the city. All five men were killed in the attacks in New York and Washington.
By William Booth Washington Post Staff Writer 9/14/01

Terrorists had no apparent reason to visit Las Vegas ... So why did they?
On June 28 at Boston’s Logan Airport, Mohamed Atta boarded a United Airlines flight and flew first class nonstop to San Francisco, where he bypassed the bohemian North Beach district and didn’t take the cruise to Alcatraz. Instead, Atta took the first of two side trips to Las Vegas.
On Aug. 10, Hani Hanjour and Nawaf Alhazmi used first-class tickets for a United flight from Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles International Airport, then on to Las Vegas. Las Vegas FBI Special Agent in Charge Grant Ashley candidly admitted that the whole story of the terrorists’ Las Vegas connection may never be known. Authorities on the hijackers’ sponsor, Osama bin Laden, note that counterfeiting has been one of the al-Qaida terrorist network's signatures. Were the hijackers passing off funny money? Spies and arms dealers have made this a second home for more than a generation.
11/4/01 Las Vegas Review-Journal COLUMN: John L. Smith

SunCruz Casinos turns over documents in terrorist probe
TAMPA, Fla. - SunCruz Casinos has turned over photographs and other documents to FBI investigators after employees said they recognized some of the men suspected in the terrorist attacks as customers.
Michael Hlavsa, chairman of the gambling cruise company, said Wednesday two or three men linked to the Sept. 11 hijackings may have been customers on a ship that sailed from Madeira Beach on Florida's gulf coast.
9/26/01 By VICKIE CHACHERE Associated Press Writer and Florida Times-Union


Terror suspects spent $100,000 in casino scam Buffalo duo likely tried to launder cash
HAMILTON — Two members of an alleged Al Qaeda cell arrested in Buffalo last week spent at least $100,000 (U.S.) at Casino Niagara in what Ontario officials suspect were money-laundering attempts. Federal prosecutors in Buffalo, where the American-born suspects are in a bail hearing this week, have painted the men as wily members of an Al Qaeda "sleeper" cell, based in the suburb of Lackawanna. American anti-terrorism officials allege that some of the men seem to have secret sources of funds, the type of money needed to carry out acts of Al Qaeda terrorism on U.S. soil. "Terrorists will take full advantage of whatever means they can," said David Harris, an anti-terrorism consultant in Ottawa. "They know the art and science of laundering money. Casinos are just another avenue for that."
Thestar.com Toronto star 9/20/02 By Joan Walters

Thanks to Lambert at CorrentWire for the tip.