Green uses 'Don't ask, don't tell' policywhen it comes to his staff and scandal

The Capital Times reports:

Green, R-Green Bay, said he had never met Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is reportedly under investigation for allegedly bribing members of Congress and other public officials. Abramoff's partner pleaded guilty to bribery last week after admitting that he and Abramoff had provided items of value to officials in exchange for political favors.

"I have never met Abramoff in my life. I wouldn't know him if he walked in the room. I have no relationship" with him or his firm," Green told reporters this morning at the state Capitol...

Green's former chief of staff, Mark Graul, has been accused in published reports of taking tickets to Abramoff's private skybox in Washington for NBA games, concerts, and other events, but he has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Green said he has never asked Graul, who is now his campaign manager, whether he knew Abramoff or any of Abramoff's associates, but he added that "there is no reason that he would."

Green said flatly, "There is nothing there. Period."

That raises a few questions.

Why hasn't Green asked Graul, his former chief of staff and current campaign manager, whether he knows Abramoff or his associates?

It's because he wants deniability. He doesn't want to know.

Graul has also denied he knows Abramoff, but he certainly knew his staff, and knew them well enough to e-mail back and forth and accept free tickets to events from them. That's all been reported. You can find the documents here.

For Green to say he doesn't know is to say he doesn't want to know what Graul has been up to.