A top Republican lobbyist owned up to multi-million dollar fraud and swaying lawmakers with lavish gifts, in a plea deal which will lift the lid from one of the most explosive Washington scandals in decades. Jack Abramoff, a wheeler dealer linked with figures like Tom Delay, former majority leader in the House of Representatives, sent shivers through Congress by agreeing to tell all to prosecutors in return for a reduced sentence. “Words will not be able to ever express how sorry I am for this, and I have profound regret and sorrow for the multitude of mistakes and harm I have caused,” Abramoff, 46, said at a brief appearance at US District Court. “I only hope that I can merit forgiveness from the Almighty and those I have wronged,” said the former powerbroker in the dollar-soaked Washington lobbying community. Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion, and must repay 26.7 million dollars in defrauded payments, as a condition of the deal which will see him testify against former congressional associates. In a statement of facts filed in court, he admitted bilking millions of dollars from Indian tribes he was paid to represent. […]