Indianz.Com > News > Nonprofits part of Abramoff's tribal lobbying scheme

Nonprofits part of Abramoff's tribal lobbying scheme
Friday, October 13, 2006

E-mails released by a Senate committee on Thursday paint a broader picture of Jack Abramoff's tribal lobbying effort amid the questionable use of conservative nonprofit organizations.

The scandal erupted in response to high fees charged to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation revealed that the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from California, the Tigua Tribe of Texas and Sandia Pueblo in New Mexico were also affected.

Unredacted and new e-mails released by the Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee show the Abramoff affair extended to more tribes. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the Hopi Tribe of Arizona, the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas, the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts were courted by the now-convicted lobbyist as he tried to use nonprofits to further their interests, the report said.

According to the investigation, which had been authorized by committee chairman Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), "some officers of these organizations were generally available to carry out Mr. Abramoff's requests for help with his clients in exchange for cash payments."

Not everyone bought into the effort. Of the newly named tribes, only the Meskwakis gave money to the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, which was run by a close associate of former Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

According to the report, Abramoff used CREA to lobby former deputy secretary J. Steven Griles on issues affecting tribal clients. CREA and its executive director, Italia Federici, were enriched by about $500,000 thanks to donations from the tribes.

More money could have come in had Abramoff been successful in persuading the Cherokee Nation and other tribes to give to CREA. "The chief of the Cherokees is meeting with Steve Griles tomorrow afternoon," Abramoff told Federici on September 24, 2002. "This is the one I have talked to about representation and giving to CREA."

Abramoff wanted Griles to "mention both your name and mine" during the meeting in an attempt to show their alleged influence. "He can just say ‘we have mutual friends’ or something if that is possible. It would really help Thanks so much!!!" the e-mail stated.

Just a couple of months later, Cherokee Nation Enterprises signed up as a client of Abramoff and his firm to lobby on "appropriations" and "sovereignty." A spokesperson for Cherokee Nation told The Native American Times this past January that Abramoff solicited the tribe but that the tribe never hired him.

Along with the Cherokees, Abramoff tried to get the Hopi Tribe on board with CREA. In the fall of 2001, Federici arranged a private dinner at a home in Washington, D.C. The guest list included Norton, Griles and Neal McCaleb, the former head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In an e-mail, Abramoff wondered which tribes -- besides the Choctaws, the Saginaw Chippewas and the Coushattas -- to invite. "Do you think Hoppi wants to join?" he wrote on August 7, 2001.

"The hopi aren’t good republicans, but I will check it out," responded Kevin Ring, a fellow lobbyist.

"Whether they are good Republicans or not, they need clout with the Interior Dept, I would imagine," said Abramoff.

Many of the e-mails included in the Finance report were released by the Indian Affairs Committee. But the Indian Affairs staff redacted some of the names of the tribes.

For example, Indian Affairs blacked out the phrase "Chief of the Coushatta" in one of Abramoff's e-mails. The Finance Committee report doesn't contain the redaction.

Indian Affairs also blacked out the word "Cherokee" in the "chief of the Cherokee" e-mail that was released by the Finance Committee yesterday. It's not clear why such a redaction was made.

The Finance report is the third to be released by a Congressional committee. The House Government Reform Committee focused on White House contacts in a report released late last month.

In January, Abramoff pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud tribes and bribe a member of Congress. Three of his associates have pleaded guilty and so has Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), who was in court today to admit to being the recipient of some of the bribes.

The other nonprofits examined in the Finance report were Americans for Tax Reform, Citizens Against Government Waste, the National Center for Public Policy Research and Toward Tradition.

Senate Finance Committee Democratic Report:
Text Only | Response to Democratic Staff | Investigation of Jack Abramoff’s Use of Tax-Exempt Organizations (October 12, 2006) Note: 18.3MB file may be slow to load.

House Government Reform Committee Documents:
Report | Billing Records Spreadsheet | Attachment 1 | Attachment 2 | Press Release

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Abramoff Report:
“GIMME FIVE”— INVESTIGATION OF TRIBAL LOBBYING MATTERS (June 2006)

Exhibits:
Pre-2001 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | Undated | Finance

Relevant Links:
Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy - http://www.crea-online.org/crea

Related Stories:
Editorial: Jack Abramoff and the White House (10/11)
White House aide who worked for Abramoff resigns (10/9)
Editorial: White House closely linked to Abramoff (10/9)
Abramoff report lists contacts with Capitol Hill (10/3)
Tribes billed by Abramoff for White House lobbying (10/3)
Report documents Abramoff lobbying of White House (9/29)
Another delay sought in Abramoff prison term (9/27)
Abramoff associates were often at White House (9/21)
Norton protected Griles after $1M investigation (09/14)
Judge delays Abramoff sentencing again (8/31)
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe talks with ex-Abramoff firm (8/4)
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe kept lawsuit under wraps (07/14)
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe goes after Team Abramoff (7/13)
Former DeLay aide given more time to cooperate (7/11)
Another aide to Rep. Ney subpoenaed for probe (7/11)
Records show more Abramoff visits to White House (7/10)
DOJ report ties national GOP leader to Abramoff (7/6)
DOJ investigation refers Abramoff leak to FBI (07/03)
Opinion: First Americans line up at the money trough (06/30)
Interior official charged as part of Abramoff probe (6/29)
Abramoff boasted of Choctaw's $13M in Alabama (6/28)
Paper publishes photo of Rep. Ney with Tigua Tribe (6/27)
Norton defends Griles amid Abramoff concerns (6/27)
Menominee Nation too poor to hire Jack Abramoff (6/27)
Norquist accuses McCain of lying in Abramoff report (6/27)
Column: Abramoff report puts most of blame on tribes (6/27)
Abramoff won't lead to reforms from McCain's committee (6/23)
Menominee man paid for hooking up Abramoff (6/23)
Report urges investigation of Norton associate (6/23)
Sandia Pueblo forced to hire Abramoff's partner (6/23)
Rep. Ney initially denied knowing of Tigua Tribe (6/23)
Ralph Reed paid more than $5M by Abramoff tribes (6/23)
Committee to release results of Abramoff investigation (6/22)
Agua Caliente Band sponsored Congressional trip (6/22)
Wayne Smith fingers Griles as Abramoff 'point man' (6/22)
Media glossed over White House ties to Abramoff (6/22)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe seeks another investigation (6/21)
Abramoff free for three more months to cooperate (6/21)
Ex-Bush official faces sentence for Abramoff conviction (6/21)
Senate Indian Affairs to vote on Abramoff report (6/15)
Column: McCain to release Abramoff report (6/14)
Rep. Hayworth says he only met Abramoff twice (6/12)
Sen. Reid met with two of Abramoff's tribal clients (5/30)
Editorial: So the White House doesn't know Jack? (05/08)
White House warns of partial Abramoff records (05/03)
Editorial: Release all Abramoff White House records (05/03)
White House to release logs of Abramoff visits (05/02)
Jack Abramoff and family spotted at pricey resort (4/28)
Judge to read Abramoff e-mails in ex-official's case (4/28)
Sen. Coburn expects seven lawmakers to go to jail (4/20)
Column: Tribal money found its way to New Hampshire (4/19)
Rep. Taylor acknowledges meeting Team Abramoff (4/19)
Question: Were tribes duped by Abramoff stupid? (4/18)
WaPo reporters win Pulitzer for Abramoff investigation (4/18)
Editorial: Rep. Charles Taylor and Jack Abramoff (4/14)
Sen. Dole says GOP backs embattled Sen. Burns (4/14)
Abramoff used tribe's political donations as leverage (4/12)
Family, spouses under scrutiny in Abramoff probe (4/10)
Novak: Tom DeLay guilty only of bad judgment (4/7)
Rep. Doolittle won't return convicted lobbyist's cash (4/4)
Rep. Doolittle won't return convicted lobbyist's cash (4/4)
NCAI accepts recycled Abramoff donation (4/3)
Failed deal prompted Abramoff to defraud tribes (3/31)
This is the Congress that Jack Abramoff built (3/31)
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe calls sentence too lenient (3/30)
Abramoff given minimum sentence for bank fraud (3/30)
Editorial: Abramoff should return tribe's money (3/29)
Letters ask judge to show leniency for Abramoff (3/28)
Bush backs Sen. Burns at Washington fundraiser (3/28)
Ralph Reed won't face probe for anti-tribal lobbying (3/28)
Ex-Bush official heads to trial in Abramoff case (3/27)
Getting the Indian perspective on Jack Abramoff (3/27)
Judge approves subpoena for Abramoff, ex-partner (3/27)
Abramoff called to testify in Florida murder case (3/24)
Poll shows Ralph Reed lost support after Abramoff (3/22)
Judge agrees to delay Abramoff sentencing (3/20)
Column: Abramoff asks for help in delaying sentencing (3/15)
Mille Lacs Chair: Tribes not to blame for Abramoff (3/14)
DOJ examined financial records of Sen. Burns, staffers (3/14)
Opinion: Tribes must use own people for lobbying (3/10)
Ex-Kickapoo officials suggest Abramoff behind ouster (3/10)
Abramoff accuses McCain of personal vendetta (3/9)
Ad campaign blasts Christian group for Abramoff ties (3/8)
Abramoff to 'name names' in corruption scandal (3/7)
Ralph Reed knew money came from Abramoff client (3/6)
Rep. Doolittle thought Abramoff did a great job for tribes (3/3)
Abramoff not slowing down Burns, DeLay or Ney (3/3)
Abramoff scandal a campaign issue for Sen. Burns (3/1)
Group sues over Abramoff's White House visits (3/1)
Coushatta Leader: Jack Who? Jack Afterthought (2/24)
The World: Ralph Reed took Jack Abramoff's money (2/24)
Opinion: Abramoff, Native Americans and the Jews (2/23)
Indian Affairs Committee hands over Abramoff files (2/22)
Mankiller: Tribes went 'overboard' on Abramoff (2/21)
Ron Allen met Abramoff at Signatures restaurant (2/20)
Saginaw Chippewa woman not upset with Abramoff (2/20)
Rep. Doolittle praised Mississippi Choctaws (2/20)
Gonzales won't step away from Abramoff investigation (2/17)
Editorial: White House doesn't know Jack Abramoff (2/15)
Abramoff wins own 'Name that Scandal' contest (2/15)
Abramoff boasted of contacts with White House (2/14)
Pombo says Abramoff 'never lobbied me on anything' (2/14)
Another Abramoff tribal scam revealed (2/13)
Bush in photo with ex-Kickapoo chief and Abramoff (2/13)
Abramoff bragged of meeting Bush many times (2/10)
Sen. Reid denies being influenced by Abramoff (2/10)
Morongo Chairman: Abramoff scandal taints tribes (2/10)
Commentary: Scandal another chapter in sad history (2/10)
Griles trying hard to avoid Abramoff indictment (2/8)
Critic: Abramoff scandal highlights tribal influence (2/8)
Ex-White House official fights SCIA on Abramoff (2/7)
Abramoff scandal leads to more scrutiny of tribes (2/7)
Abramoff departed lobbying firm on bad terms (2/7)
Q&A with Joe Garcia: Abramoff, stereotypes and more (2/6)
Sandia Pueblo leaders mum on Abramoff relationship (2/6)
Lawmakers are targeted in round two of Abramoff (2/6)
Tex Hall worried Abramoff scandal may hurt tribes (2/3)
Campbell says Abramoff shouldn't stop lobbying (2/3)
The Nation: Christian leaders in bed with Abramoff (2/3)
Democrats seek special prosecutor for Abramoff (2/3)
Editorial: Young uses Natives as cover for Abramoff (2/2)
Opinion: Tribes are victims of Abramoff and the GOP (2/2)
Tribal political donations at issue in Washington (1/31)
Three Abramoff tribes among top givers in 2004 (1/31)
Opinion: Anti-Native bias in wake of Abramoff (1/31)
Montana Democrats air new Burns-Abramoff ad (1/31)
Rep. Doolittle won't respond to Abramoff story (1/31)
Editorial: White House needs to come clean on Abramoff (1/31)
Griles arranged for Norton photo with Abramoff (1/30)
Thune calls on Bush to disclose Abramoff contacts (1/30)
DOJ says ex-Bush official tipped off Abramoff (1/30)
Rep. Doolittle pressed DOI for Abramoff's tribes (1/30)
Editorial: Jack Abramoff and the White House, again (1/30)
In The Hoop: Gale and the Choctaws (1/28)
Bush won't release photos he took with Abramoff (1/27)
Tex Hall: Poverty a bigger scandal than Abramoff (1/27)
Abramoff says he won't release photos with Bush (1/27)
Democrats question timing of Bush nomination (1/27)
DeLay denies being a target of Abramoff probe (1/27)
Opinion: Native lobbyists must change ways too (1/26)
Opinion: How about a little sympathy for Abramoff? (1/26)
Abramoff prosecutor tapped for federal judgeship (1/26)
Ralph Reed losing support in wake of Abramoff (1/26)
Rep. Ney to make re-election announcement (1/26)
Rep. Young intervened on behalf of Abramoff (1/25)
Reporter: Abramoff shopped Bush photos around (1/25)
Editorial: Jack Abramoff and the White House (1/25)
Opinion: Abramoff latest in long line of thieves (1/25)
Abramoff hosted baby shower for Congressman (1/25)
Chippewa Cree leaders want to take Abramoff cash (1/25)
Sen. Burns ad says Abramoff 'ripped off' tribes (1/25)
Tim Johnson: Don't tar tribes with Abramoff scandal (1/24)
White House won't release Bush-Abramoff photos (1/24)
Ralph Reed hopes voters won't care about Abramoff (1/24)
California Congressman admits to liking Abramoff (1/24)
Sen. Burns still trying to give away Abramoff cash (1/24)
McCain: A 'bipartisan' scandal in Washington (1/23)
Photos show Bush with Abramoff, family, tribes (1/23)
Post ombud admits mistake in Abramoff-Democrat link (1/23)
Alabama-Coushatta Chair: Tribe was a victim (1/23)
Reform, gaming on agenda for members of Congress (1/20)
NIGA shies from Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal (1/19)
The Rant: White House lied about ties to Abramoff (1/19)
Bush mum on Abramoff contacts with White House (1/18)
Montana-Wyoming council rejects Abramoff cash (1/18)
The Borowitz Report: DeLay to send Abramoff to Pluto (1/18)
Opinion: Don't punish tribes for Abramoff scandal (1/18)
Former Burns staffer confirms investigation by DOJ (1/18)
Ralph Reed sticks to latest story about Abramoff (1/18)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Burns ignored Cobell, tribal issues (1/17)
Opinion: Politicians now giving money back to tribes (1/17)
Rep. Ney trying to convince DOJ he is not guilty (1/17)
Hastert may face scrutiny over ties to Abramoff (1/17)
Letter: McCain and Dorgan under attack for probe (1/17)
Abramoff scandal claims another casualty (1/16)
Abramoff scandal a hot topic at gaming conference (1/13)
Ralph Reed accused by GOP senator of bilking tribes (1/13)
House Democrat leader seeks Abramoff-GOP probe (1/13)
Agua Caliente chairman apologizes for Abramoff (1/12)
Indians and Jews meet after Abramoff scandal (1/12)
Pine Ridge families to benefit from Abramoff fallout (1/12)
Republican governors to donate Scanlon cash (1/12)
Sen. Burns losing support among Montana voters (1/12)
Editorial: Return money to Alabama-Coushattas (1/12)
Opinion: Indian lobbyists just as bad as the rest (1/11)
DeLay pressed officials after taking Abramoff money (1/11)
Tribes scammed by Abramoff take cautious approach (1/11)
Texas tribe questions $50K donation to charity (1/11)
Tribal colleges happy to receive Abramoff donations (1/11)
Career officials negotiated Abramoff guilty plea (1/11)
Opinion: Greed too weak to describe Abramoff (1/11)
GOP leadership candidate connected to Abramoff (1/11)
Opinion: Tribes no strangers to deceit, double-dealing (1/10)
After downfall, Abramoff embraces Jewish faith (1/10)
Lobbying firm linked to Choctaws to close shop (1/10)
Sen. Burns blames media for Abramoff story (1/10)
Column: New name for DeLay - Dances with Dollars (1/10)
California Republican comes to defense of Abramoff (1/10)
Jodi Rave: Tribes face fallout from Abramoff scandal (1/9)
Opinion: GOP set up lobbying scandal against tribes (1/9)
Tigua Tribe shattered by Abramoff and Scanlon (1/9)
Coushatta Tribe hopes to recover money from firm (1/9)
Another Contest! Name the Jack Abramoff scandal (1/9)
Christian leaders link scandal to Indian gaming (1/9)
Griles denies doing favors for Abramoff, tribes (1/9)
Editorial: Tribes were the players, not victims (1/6)
Editorial: It takes two to tango in Washington (1/6)
Opinion: Scandal underscores racism Indians face (1/6)
Abramoff sought meeting with retired Sen. Campbell (1/6)
Abramoff scandal tips off power struggle within GOP (1/6)
Texas prosecutor subpoenas Choctaws, Barona Band (1/6)
Charities among recipients of recycled donations (1/6)
Charities among recipients of recycled donations (1/6)
Column: Republicans now asking, Jack Who? (1/6)
Opinion: Democrats took $3.1M in Abramoff donations (1/6)
Abramoff pleads guilty to bank fraud charges (1/5)
Commentary: Scandal sheds light on tribal gaming (1/5)
GOP leader denies Norton letter linked to Abramoff (1/5)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe keeps on making donations (1/5)
Michigan tribe questions land-into-trust delay (1/5)
Massachusetts tribe says scandal won't hurt case (1/5)
Rep. Hayworth defends taking money from tribes (1/5)
Rep. Kennedy won't return Abramoff-linked cash (1/5)
Column: It was a good week for Sen. John McCain (1/5)
Column: Abramoff fed a very greedy Washington (1/5)
Abramoff pleads guilty in Washington lobbying scandal (01/04)
Editorial: Abramoff scandal leads to Congress (1/4)
Editorial: Republicans nail a Republican lobbyist (1/4)
Column: Lessons of Jack Abramoff's fall (1/4)
Mississippi Choctaws gave $250K to 'Family' group (1/4)
Cherokee Nation denies working with Abramoff (1/4)

Copyright © 2000-2006 Indianz.Com