Didn't Grassley get some big bucks from Abramoff?

[rurallib]

Thought maybe I'd see a thread on his involvement. He is such a snake. Thought I saw Abramoff was into him for $65,000. Any confirmation?

[Kindigger]

1. I know what he bought with it

The stupid John Deere riding mowers in his campaign commercials.
"I can mow my own lawn so please reelect me."

[Debi]

2. Grassley says the link between the two doesn't exist

(of course, Cunningham said he was innocent as well...)

DM Register story:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051127/NEWS09/511270333&SearchID=73228141352637

<snip>

In the case of Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, he sent a letter on March 1, 2002, raising questions about a casino wanted by the Jena tribe of Choctaw Indians, the article said. Grassley received a $1,000 contribution from the Abramoff firm a month later and $62,200 in related donations by 2004, the AP said.

Jill Kozeny, Grassley's communications director, said there was no connection with Abramoff. She said Grassley wrote the letter on behalf of an Iowa constituent representing Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., which has riverboat operations in Iowa and casino interests in Louisiana. Kozeny also said Grassley did not say that he personally opposed the Jena casino, but that Isle of Capri had "concerns" involving the Jena tribe's payments to state and local governments and the use of the site planned for the casino.

<snip>

Interesting enough, the owners of the Isle of Capri live in Florida and Illinois, not Iowa (not that it matters, I guess, they give money to Iowa republicans on a regular basis).