Tribal 'money train' emerges in hearing on lobbyists

[NVMojo]

more Republican ethics problems ..

WASHINGTON - A key witness was missing. Former high-level government officials gave entirely different accounts about the handling of an Indian gambling issue and lobbying materials that mysteriously appeared. Memories faltered, the Fifth Amendment was invoked and, once again, the term "Republican" was associated with unethical and possibly illegal activities.

These were a few of the highlights of a hearing Wednesday by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that exposed yet another layer of suspected fraud in a former lobbying team's multimillion-dollar billings of six Indian tribes.

The hearing, headed by Republican Sen. John McCain, came as a federal grand jury continues to look into many of the same allegations and activities.

more...

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1103mccain-indianprobe03.html

[NVMojo]

1. Reed's fees all paid by casino (Christian Coalition jerk)

WASHINGTON — Ralph Reed's anti-gambling work in Texas and Louisiana was funded by an Indian tribe that derives all of its income from a single casino, according to U.S. Senate testimony Wednesday.

Reed, the former Christian Coalition leader who is running for lieutenant governor of Georgia, is an avowed opponent of legalized gambling. He has said he never knowingly accepted gambling money.

Ralph Reed said that if his payments came from gambling, 'it was contrary to my understanding.'

But Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who hired Reed to manage the campaign, made it clear to Reed that he was working for the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, according to a Feb. 11, 2002, e-mail released after the hearing.

more...

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/02reed.html

[pitohui]

3. i'm hopping mad abt this

the coushattas really have no other source of income, to commit extortion in this way should be a felony punished by serious federal crime since it happened on tribal lands

reed needs to go to prison, now, do not pass go, do not collect $200

[NVMojo]

6. I agree ... on to prison for screwing those who are weaker ....

[Double T]

2. How the hell are we EVER going to stop the corruption in politics.......

and our governments. I know it has gone on forever but it seems to be getting a lot worse. TERM LIMITS??

[biscotti]

4. Reed is such a sleazy slimy little character

He has been involved in dirty tricks since the early nineties. Along with the less then credulous Pat Robertson diamond entrepreneur/carny / phony religious radical. Both nothing more then thieves who prey on the weak.

[gademocrat7]

5. I agree

Hopefully Reed will be indicted and not be able to run for Lt. Gov. in Georgia.