Members, leaders and lobbyists for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts have donated $32,000 to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California) ever since he became chairman of the House Resources Committee in January 2003.

The first Mashpee donation of $12,000 came from six tribal members on September 29, 2003, the San Joaquin News-Service reported. That same day, Jack Abramoff, the tribe's lobbyist, gave $5,000 to Pombo's political action committee. Abramoff also gave $2,000 to Pombo's re-election campaign earlier that year.

So far this year 2005, tribal members have donated $12,000 Pombo's re-election campaign. Pombo denies the money had anything to do with a bill he introduced to speed up the tribe's federal recognition petition. Pombo said he was never lobbied by Abramoff but that he did eat at Abramoff's former restaurant, Signatures.

"That's not the kind of place I would normally hang out at," Pombo told The Modesto Bee.

Get the Story:
Pombo accepted money from tribe employing Abramoff (San Joaquin News-Service 12/5)
Abramoff donated to Pombo (The Modesto Bee 12/6)

Relevant Links:
Rep. Richard Pombo - http://www.house.gov/pombo
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

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