WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Friends of fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff are petitioning the court for leniency when he is to be sentenced on fraud charges Wednesday in Florida.

The former Republican superlobbyist may have fleeced clients of millions of dollars, but he often donated half or more his income each year to charities and community projects, religious leaders told the court.

Also singing Abramoff’s praises: military officers, a professional hockey referee, a congressman and a U.S. territorial governor. More than 260 people wrote letters to U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck, who will sentence the lobbyist in the Florida case.

Abramoff and a former colleague each face prison sentences of just more than seven years. Abramoff faces separate prison time in a corruption case in Washington.