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Wayne Smith to testify at recognition hearing
Monday, May 3, 2004

Former Bureau of Indian Affairs aide Wayne Smith, ousted over allegations of influence-pedding, will testify at a hearing on federal recognition this week, The New London Day reports.

The main focus of the hearing is on the alleged influence of casino lobbyists on the recognition process. Smith was in charge of recognition and gaming issues while at the BIA and told The Hartford Courant that the financial relationship of groups seeking recognition and their investors should be disclosed.

"These lobbyists, they are all tied to the Bush administration," Smith told the paper. "They aren't people who said, `I want to help American Indians."

The House Committee on Government Reform will also hear from Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal; Marcia Jones Flowers, the chairwoman of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut; Nicholas . Mullane, the leader of a Connecticut town opposed to the Eastern Pequot recognition; and two Bureau of Indian Affairs representatives, the paper reports.

Department of Interior inspector general Earl Devaney is also expected to testify, according to the paper.

The hearing takes place at 10 a.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154.

Get the Story:
Indians Say Recognition Hijacked (The Hartford Courant 5/3)
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Shays on BIA loopholes (The Fairfield County Hour 5/3)
House Panel To Probe Casino Lobbyists (The New London Day 5/2)
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