Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Politics
Tigua Tribe outraged over being played as 'moronic'


Leaders of the Tigua Tribe of Texas say they are upset that to Washington, D.C., lobbyists they hired were also working against their interests.

The tribe gave $4.2 million to lobbyist Jack Abramoff and political consultant Michael Scanlon in hopes of reopening the tribe's casino. A federal judge ordered the facility to be closed at the request of the state.

What tribal leaders did not know was that Abramoff and Scanlon were working with Christian conservative Ralph Reed to lobby for the casino's closure. Abramoff and Scanlon have played up their ties to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Republican from Texas.

In an e-mail, Abramoff called the Tiguas "moronic" for their campaign contributions.

Get the Story:
Tiguas outraged that D.C. insiders worked both sides of casino's closure (The El Paso Times 9/28)
Senate Panel to Query Lobbyists on Casino Ties (NPR 9/27)

Related Stories:
Lobbyists worked for, against 'moronic' Tiguas (9/27)
Group opposing Poarch Creeks tied to tribal lobbyists (09/16)
Coushattas used lobbyists to spy on tribes, critics (09/13)
Bush strategist now knows source of tribal funds (09/01)
Bush strategist claims no knowledge of funds (8/31)
Bush-GOP strategist admits taking tribal money (8/30)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Coushatta member threatened over recall effort (08/09)
Coushatta Tribe's lobbying records subpoenaed (07/23)
Hearing on high lobbying fees expected in September (07/16)
GOP strategist denies secretly taking tribal money (7/15)
Tribal money secretly funneled to GOP strategist (06/25)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Saginaw Chippewa leader who paid lobbyists ousted (06/04)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)
Tribal chairman says $120K fee to Abramoff worth it (05/18)
Republican governors report biggest donor in 2002 (05/04)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe wonders where $14M went (04/20)
McCain demands documents from lobbyist, PR exec (04/12)
Coushatta treasurer accuses NIGC of lax oversight (04/12)
Choctaw chief Martin defends embattled GOP lobbyist (04/09)
McCain pushing Choctaw tribe to cooperate with probe (4/8)
Coushatta leaders used tribal money to pay lobbyists (4/8)
Coushatta Tribe paid $32M to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (4/6)
McCain aggressive in pursuing lobbyist records (4/5)
McCain demands documents for tribal lobbyist's work (3/30)
Embattled lobbyist signs deal with another firm (03/25)
Embattled tribal lobbyist gave to Conn. Congressman (03/10)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe hires new lobbying firm (3/9)
McCain begins investigation into high tribal fees (3/4)
Pueblo governor says $1M fee to PR firm not worth it (3/3)
McCain calls for investigation into tribal spending (2/27)
Four tribes spent $45M on lobbying and PR firms (2/23)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)
Embattled tribe gets has new lobbyist (12/13)