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Ties to Abramoff an issue for Ralph Reed campaign
Monday, April 18, 2005

Christian Republican activist Ralph Reed's ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff are becoming an issue in his campaign for lieutenant governor of Georgia, where there are no federally recognized tribes.

Reed has been a close associate of Reed's since the 1980s. Both were leaders of the College Republicans.

Reed went onto head the Christian Coalition and Abramoff went onto lobby for wealthy tribes. Their paths intersected when Reed led the fight against tribal casinos that were opposed by Abramoff's clients.

Reed ended up taking $4.1 million from Abramoff and Abramoff's partner Michael Scanlon that came from the Coushatta Tribe of Lousiana, the owners of a successful casino. The money was used to fight the Tigua Tribe of Texas, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians from Alabama -- three tribes who want to expand, resume or initiate gaming efforts.

Reed claims he didn't know the money gaming from a gaming tribe but not everyone necessarily buys the story. "The Bible says you can't serve God and Mammon," the Rev. Pat Robertson told The New York Times.

Get the Story:
Ralph Reed's Zeal for Lobbying Is Shaking His Political Faithful (The New York Times 4/18)
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Indian casinos, controversialdeals . . . and Georgia politics (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 4/18)
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