Three watchdog groups in Texas filed a complaint on Thursday, accusing Republican activist Ralph Reed of violating the state's lobbying laws by working against a tribe.
Common Cause Texas, Public Citizen and Texans for Public Justice said Reed lobbied state officials to kill a bill that would have helped the Tigua Tribe. The groups said Reed lobbied then-state attorney general John Cornyn, now a U.S. Senator, to shut down the tribe's casino [PDF: Complaint].
Reed was hired by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff to fight gaming in Texas. The source of the money was the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, a gaming tribe. He was paid a total of $4.2 million but didn't register as a lobbyist. The groups say anyone who receives more than $4,000 over the course of a year must register.
Reed, who is running for lieutenant governor of Georgia, denies that he lobbied state officials. He said he was hired to generate public support against the gaming initiatives.
Get the Story:Complaint: Reed violated lobbying rules (The Austin American-Statesman 12/2)
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Texas groups seek Ralph Reed casinos probe (AP 12/1)
Abramoff Associate Reed May Have Broken Lobby Law, Groups Say (Bloomberg News 12/1) Relevant Links:
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