GEORGE CLOONEY - LOBBYIST'S DAD ATTACKS CLOONEY OVER GLOBES JOKE

GEORGE CLOONEY has come under fire from disgraced US lobbyist JACK ABRAMOFF's family, after poking fun at him in his Golden Globes Best Supporting Actor acceptance speech on Monday (16JAN06).

The movie star joked, "Who would name their kid 'Jack' with 'off' at the end? No wonder the guy's screwed up," which infuriated Abramoff's father, who was watching the awards show at home.

FRANK ABRAMOFF has since fired off a letter to Clooney via newspaper the Palm Springs Desert Sun, accusing the actor of being "glib and ridiculous".

Abramoff's father says, "Your glib and ridiculous attack on my son, Jack, coupled with your obscene query as to the choice his mother and I made in naming him brought shame and dishonor on you and your profession.

"What drove you to this lapse in lucidity, I can never know, but you need to know that your words were deeply hurtful to many innocent and decent people.

"Are you the heir to the dignity and greatness of Hollywood's past, or, more likely, a portent to a depressing and horrific future?"

Washington DC lobbyist Abramoff has been convicted of bribery and conspiracy after admitting he bribed public officials and defrauding Native American clients.