Cumberland, Md. ? He was once known for lavishing politicians with gifts and whisking them way on exotic trips.

Now Jack Abramoff is federal inmate No. 27953-112.

Abramoff, the disgraced Republican lobbyist, reported to a minimum security-prison Wednesday in Cumberland to begin serving a nearly six-year sentence for a fraudulent deal to buy a fleet of casino ships in Florida. He is also awaiting sentencing for corrupting government officials and their staff members.

From prison, Abramoff is to continue cooperating with the Justice Department, helping explain how he manipulated government decisions and who else was involved. The case has already led to the conviction of former Bush administration official David Safavian and guilty pleas from former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, and several congressional aides.