Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Politics
Burns, Dorgan backed $3M grant for Abramoff client


Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) used their position on the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee to steer a $3 million set aside to a client of Jack Abramoff's even though the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe did not qualify for the money, The Washington Post reports.

Burns was chairman of the subcommittee when he wrote a letter backing the $3 million for the tribe as part of a school demonstration project. Dorgan, as the ranking Democrat, signed on to the letter and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) also spoke in favor of the set aside.

Interior Department officials protested because the wealthy gaming tribe was not qualified under a program meant for poorer tribes with dilapidated schools. But Burns later ensured the tribe received the money, The Post said.

The tribe is one of six that paid an estimated $82 million to Abramoff and his former associate Michael Scanlon in hopes of currying favor with Washington politicians.

Get the Story:
Tribal Grant Is Being Questioned (The Washington Post 3/1)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe - http://www.sagchip.org
Saginaw Chippewa Voices - http://www.scitmembervoices.com

Related Stories:
Tribal lobbying scandal hurts ex-Abramoff firm (02/17)
Sag Chip recall targets anti-Abramoff tribal leaders (02/11)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Documents detail lobbyists' role in tribal elections (10/04)
More hearings slated in tribal lobbyist scandal (09/30)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Saginaw Chippewa leader who paid lobbyists ousted (06/04)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe wonders where $14M went (04/20)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe hires new lobbying firm (03/09)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)
Embattled tribe gets has new lobbyist (12/13)