Jack Abramoff says he's sorry for defrauding
Tigua Tribe out of $4.2 million.
But the convicted lobbyist isn't apologizing to tribal leaders in person. Instead he told The El Paso Times that he feels bad about stealing their money.
"I'd tell them I'm horribly sorry for the things I did that were wrong, that I wish I could make it up to them, I wish I could some way give or do something to make it better," Abramoff told the paper.
But Lt. Gov. Carlos Hisa doesn't believe Abramoff is truly remorseful. He said the apology should have come when the scandal broke in early 2004.
"I do not find it sincere. The time to come back and apologize is when the investigation was going on," Hisa told the paper.
Then he offered Abramoff a response:
"You might have hurt us, but we've been through this before, we will survive. We've been here before the United States was even the United States of America. We went through just a lot of rough times and we stand proud and strong," he told the paper.
"How proud can he stand? How proud can his children be standing knowing that their dad ruined this for them?" Hisa added.
Get the Story:
Jack Abramoff's regrets fall short for Tigua officials
(The El Paso Times 12/11)
Tiguas' tribal leaders, members work to improve future
(The El Paso Times 12/11)
Jack Abramoff's private emails disparaged Tiguas
(The El Paso Times 12/11)
Also Today:
Tigua legislation heads to Senate (Scripps Howard Foundation Wire 12/12)
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