Alabama governor sued over Choctaw connections

Wednesday, September 26, 2007  

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R) is being sued by a former supporter who wants to know whether the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians contributed money to the governor's campaign.

John Goff, who owns an insurance company, says his corporate jet was used by Riley to make two trips to Washington, D.C. During these visits, Riley met with Michael Scanlon, a lobbyist for the Choctaws, according to Goff.

The Choctaws reportedly supported Riley in the governor's race because he opposed the expansion of gaming in Alabama. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, whom the Choctaws considered to be a rival, wants to offer Class III gaming.

The Choctaws denied being involved but the former vice chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, another Abramoff client, said that the Choctaws once boasted of spending $13 million "to get the governor of Alabama elected to keep gaming out of Alabama."

Scanlon used to work for Riley when Riley was a Congressman.

Get the Story:
Lawsuit questions money (The Mobile Press-Register 9/26)

$rl Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.choctaw.org