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Abramoff Scandal
Michigan tribe questions land-into-trust delay


The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, is accusing another Michigan tribe of using Jack Abramoff to delay its land-into-trust application.

Gun Lake Chairman D.K. Sprague says Abramoff lobbied against the land-into-trust request on behalf of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, the owners of a successful casino, He is calling on federal investigators to look into the situation.

"Clearly, clearly, Mr Abramoff played a role delaying our project 14 months," Sprague told WMMT News 3.

The tribe also has questioned whether Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Michigan), who opposes the land-into-trust request, was influenced by Abramoff. Hoekstra accepted $2,000 from Abramoff but says the money isn't linked to his stance on the issue.

Get the Story:
Gun Lake Tribe reacts to Abramoff (WMMT 1/5)
Hoekstra denies influence peddling (WMMT 1/5)
Indian Tribe Concerned Political Payoffs Slowed Casino (WZZM 1/4)

Relevant Links:
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians - http://www.mbpi.org

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