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Lobbyist Avoids Questions from Indian Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported by the Associated Press: "A lobbyist who billed American Indian tribes tens of millions of dollars for work on casino issues refused Wednesday to answer questions from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

"Committee Chairman Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., quoted from e-mails in which Jack Abramoff called his tribal clients 'morons,' 'monkeys' and 'stupid idiots.' Campbell, a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, said he was personally offended and asked Abramoff why he worked with tribes if he felt that way.

"Abramoff refused to answer that and 15 other questions from the committee, asserting his Fifth Amendment right not to testify against himself.

"…The Senate committee's staff concluded after a seven-month investigation that found Abramoff and his business partner, Michael Scanlon, had charged six tribes in six states a total of $66 million for lobbying and may have manipulated at least two tribal elections to ensure they would get contracts with tribes…"

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