J. Steven Griles, the former No. 2 official at Interior who recently finished serving a 10-month jail sentence for obstruction of justice in the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal, has very quietly returned to K Street life. Sources say that Griles is affiliated with the firm Thomas Advisors, which is run by veteran oil lobbyist Thomas Medaglia III. Medaglia's recent clients include Consol Energy and Mirant Corp.
Griles, the highest-ranking Bush administration official convicted in the ongoing influence-peddling probe, pleaded guilty last year to lying to senators about his ties to Abramoff, who repeatedly sought Griles's help for his Indian casino clients. It isn't clear whether Griles, who has done lengthy stints before as an energy lobbyist, will try his hand at lobbying again, or focus on giving clients strategic advice. Calls to Griles seeking comment were not returned.
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