Politics
Donations funneled through Abramoff unaccounted


About $70,000 in political contributions made by the Tigua Tribe of Texas and funneled through disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff are unaccounted, The Arizona Republic reports.

The tribe gave Abramoff a lump sum of $300,000 that he was to distribute to candidates and political committees of his choosing. Some of the money went to obscure groups.

But a good chunk of it never found its way to the intended recipients, the paper said. Out of the 79 checks written, 26 are missing. They may have never been sent or they may have been returned to Abramoff.

The discrepancy turned up during the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation of Abramoff and his partner Michael Scanlon. Further hearings on the matter are expected in the coming year under new chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona).

Get the Story:
Indian political donations missing (The Arizona Republic 2/6)
'Complex, tangled web' of political deals listed (The Arizona Republic 2/6)

Related Stories:
Commentary: Tighten up lobbyist rules (01/18)
Commentary: Tribal lobbyist scandal is familiar tale (1/13)
Probe sought of Congressman linked to lobbyists (01/07)
Editorial: 'Shameful' dealings of Washington lobbyists (1/6)
Abramoff and Scanlon scandal won't go away (12/20)
Editorial: Ney's judgment 'clouded' by Abramoff (12/20)
Ney to meet with ethics panel over Abramoff ties (12/16)
Congressman subject of inquiry for Abramoff ties (12/15)
Lobbyists say Abramoff probe has run its course (12/13)
Congressman questioned during lobbyist probe (12/10)
Editorial: Ney not exactly a victim in Tigua case (12/03)
Abramoff 'totally in bed' with anti-gaming forces (11/29)
McCain eyes reform of lobbying disclosure laws (11/24)
Order freezing Abramoff's assets lifted in lawsuit (11/24)
Mississippi Choctaw lawyer referred Abramoff (11/22)
Former Ney chief of staff worked with Abramoff (11/19)
Coushatta Tribe sues ex-lobbyists for $32M (11/17)
Tigua Tribe to testify at Senate lobbying hearing (11/16)
Abramoff's assets frozen in employee case (11/15)
Vitter 'conned' by group opposing tribe (11/12)
GOP critic of McCain received tribal donations (11/08)
Author: Abramoff, Scanlon likely to be indicted (10/28)
Senate panel asks Coushatta Tribe for tapes (10/27)
Ralph Reed paid $4.1M to oppose tribes (10/26)
Two more lawyers linked to lobbyist scandal (10/21)
Online Chat: Abramoff 'close friend' of DeLay (10/20)
Christian Coalition still after Poarch Creeks (10/19)
Congressman denies knowing of tribe's backing (10/18)
Opinion: Lobbyist scandal goes all the way to Bush (10/15)
Congressman's anti-gaming push backed by tribe (10/15)
Tigua Tribe mum on Washington lobbyists (10/12)
House Resources asked to investigate lobbyists (10/8)
Another tribe considers lawsuit against lobbyists (10/7)
DeLay rebuked yet again for flaunting influence (10/7)
Coushatta Tribe to sue lobbyists for $32M (10/4)
Lobbyist scandal reaches to top levels of GOP (10/4)
Choctaw Tribe's lobbying documents kept secret (10/4)
Documents detail lobbyists' role in tribal elections (10/4)
Salon: Tom DeLay allowed tribes to be 'slickered' (10/4)
Pueblo leader says lobbyists' high fees not worth it (10/1)
Texas AG asked to investigate Abramoff, Scanlon (10/1)
DeLay rebuked for trading influence on House floor (10/1)
DeLay rebuked for trading influence on House floor (10/1)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Abramoff mum at hearing while Scanlon a no-show (9/30)
Column: Lobbyists lurked in 'cesspool of greed' (9/30)
Washington lobbyists called before Senate panel (9/29)
Editorial: Send lobbyist hogs to the slaughterhouse (9/29)
Tigua Tribe outraged over being played as 'moronic' (9/28)
Tribes told to donate to lobbyists' foundation (9/28)
Editorial: Actions of tribal lobbyists 'loathsome' (9/28)
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)