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Tribal money secretly funneled to GOP strategist
Friday, June 25, 2004

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana hired ex-Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed to lobby against another tribe but kept his involvement secret by funneling his payments through associates being investigated by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, The Nation reports.

Citing witnesses and documents, The Nation said ex-Coshuatta vice chairman William Worfel brag about hiring Reed, a GOP strategist. But Reed, who once crusaded against gaming, got paid through Jack Abramoff and Mike Scanlon.

The connection was uncovered through Sen. John McCain's probe of tribal lobbying fees. The Senate committee recently issued 15 subpoenas to compel lobbyists to testify before the committee.

Get the Story:
Ralph Reed's Gamble (The Nation 6/24)

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