Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Abramoff Scandal
Griles denies doing favors for Abramoff, tribes


Lawyers for J. Steven Griles are accusing the Senate Indian Affairs Committee of misleading the public about the former Interior deputy secretary's role in the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Griles testified before the committee on November 2, 2005, and came under fire for his relationship with Abramoff. He appeared not to remember some of the contacts he had with Abramoff, whom he met prior to being named to the number 2 position at the Interior Department.

In the letter, Griles says the committee painted a false portrait of his role through the "omission and selective release of evidence" during the hearing. Griles said he never interfered in decisions affecting Abramoff's clients and never negotiated a job with Abramoff's firm. He also says the committee didn't let him review some of the documents before the hearing.

Get the Story:
Ex-Norton aide denies helping Abramoff (The Denver Post 1/6)

Related Stories:
In the Loop: Griles attended DOI's Christmas party (12/16)
Norton refutes alleged influence of Abramoff (12/15)
Watchdog group sues DOI over Abramoff documents (12/07)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments in Abramoff case (12/05)
Dorgan vows to continue Abramoff lobbying probe (11/29)
Griles intervened in Coushatta leadership dispute (11/29)
Inside the BIA, according to Jack Abramoff (11/23)
Plea deal cites members of Congress and another tribe (11/22)
Scanlon free after guilty plea in tribal lobbying scheme (11/22)
Charges laid against Scanlon in tribal lobbying probe (11/21)
Senate committee to continue Abramoff investigation (11/18)
Salon: Italia Federici a 'minor' Republican player (11/18)
Campbell denies relationship with Italia Federici (11/18)
Audio: Italia Federici testifies before Senate panel (11/17)
Opinion: Something creepy about Federici's CREA (11/16)
Opinion: Griles' role in lobbying scandal still a mystery (11/14)
C-SPAN Moment: Putting the screws to Steve Griles (11/11)
Senate panel sets hearing for Italia Federici (11/09)
Column: Where in the world is Italia Federici? (11/07)
Editorial: Steve Griles and the revolving door (11/04)
Griles, Rossetti to testify on Coushatta Tribe (11/02)
Griles called to testify on Abramoff scandal (11/01)
Norton associate to testify at Abramoff hearing (10/28)
Interior drawn into Senate committee's lobbying probe (10/26)
Abramoff tried to hire Griles at lobbying firm (08/29)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Meskwakis gave $50K to group founded by Norton (04/22)
Griles fought casino opposed by Abramoff's clients (03/14)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (03/14)
DOI investigates contacts with group started by Norton (03/03)
Report: Former Norton organization subpoenaed (3/1)
Tribes gave $175K to group founded by Norton (2/28)