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Links to Abramoff not an issue for Sen. Vitter
Monday, May 30, 2005

Freshman Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) has several ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff but they haven't hurt his career, political analysts tell The Baton Rouge Advocate.

Vitter has been aggressively trying to stop the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians from opening a casino in the state. He says the effort has nothing to do with Abramoff, who was hired by another tribe to oppose the Jena Band.

But Vitter confirmed that his staff worked with Abramoff's firm to draft language in an appropriations bill that went against the tribe. He let Abramoff host a fundraiser at Abramoff's restaurant at the time the bill was being considered in the fall of 2003.

Vitter says he opposes gaming but eventually admitted that he knew Abramoff's clients were gaming tribes.

Get the Story:
Vitter quiet, but hardly unnoticed (The Baton Rouge Advocate 5/30)

Relevant Links:
Jena Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.jenachoctaw.org

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