AP reports the latest White House efforts to thwart the ongoing Abramoff corruption investigations.
It is unclear at this point whether the Federal Grand Jury is investigating the connection to the Mashpee Wampanoags.
Listed below are some articles to provide historical background.
Secrecy Invoked on Abramoff Lawsuits
Pete Yost
Associated Press
Dec 2007
The Bush administration is laying out a new secrecy defense in an effort to end a court battle about the White House visits of now-imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff.The administration agreed last year to produce all responsive records about the visits "without redactions or claims of exemption," according to a court order.
But in a court filing Friday night, administration lawyers said that sometime in the past year the Secret Service identified a category of highly sensitive documents that might contain information sought in a lawsuit about Abramoff's trips to the White House. CREW
But in a court filing Friday night, administration lawyers said that sometime in the past year the Secret Service identified a category of highly sensitive documents that might contain information sought in a lawsuit about Abramoff's trips to the White House. CREW
Repeating bad history
By Peter Kenney
John Peter's email to Herb Strather
One member of the Mashpee Wampanoag knows more than most others about the deals to which the tribe may be committed. He is John Peters, known as Jim, and a member of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs. On Jan. 31, 2003 he sent an e-mail from his state office in Boston to Strather.
What did Jim Peters read? What was the deal he referenced involving Mr. Tobey and his associates? Who are those associates? How much more secrecy must the Mashpee endure from their own leaders and business partners? CapeCodToday
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
House Resources Chairman
MASHPEE — POMBO PASSED A BILL HELPING ABRAMOFF CLIENT, RECEIVED MONEY IN RETURN: In 2004, Pombo ushered a bill through his committee helping the Mashpee Wampanoag Indians tribe — an Abramoff client — gain federal recognition and special benefits, which was approved in Sept. 2004. “Members of the tribe, the Mashpee Wampanoag Indians, have donated at least $20,000 to Pombo’s political group since he was named Committee on Resources Chairman on Jan. 8, 2003. Tribe members gave an additional $12,000 to his re-election campaign earlier this year. The first Mashpee donation - $12,000 from six members of the tribe to Pombo’s leadership political action committee, Rich PAC - came Sept. 29, 2003. That same day, Abramoff gave $5,000 to the fund. Abramoff also gave $2,000 to Pombo’s re-election campaign days after he was named resources committee chairman.” [Lodi News Sentinel, 12/5/05] THINK PROGRESS
House Resources Chairman
MASHPEE — POMBO PASSED A BILL HELPING ABRAMOFF CLIENT, RECEIVED MONEY IN RETURN: In 2004, Pombo ushered a bill through his committee helping the Mashpee Wampanoag Indians tribe — an Abramoff client — gain federal recognition and special benefits, which was approved in Sept. 2004. “Members of the tribe, the Mashpee Wampanoag Indians, have donated at least $20,000 to Pombo’s political group since he was named Committee on Resources Chairman on Jan. 8, 2003. Tribe members gave an additional $12,000 to his re-election campaign earlier this year. The first Mashpee donation - $12,000 from six members of the tribe to Pombo’s leadership political action committee, Rich PAC - came Sept. 29, 2003. That same day, Abramoff gave $5,000 to the fund. Abramoff also gave $2,000 to Pombo’s re-election campaign days after he was named resources committee chairman.” [Lodi News Sentinel, 12/5/05] THINK PROGRESS
Tribe paid casino lobbyists
Jack Abramoff and his Web of Corruption
Source: SEAN GONSALVES, Cape Cod Times
20 May 2005 Wampanoag tribal leaders have distanced themselves from a controversial lobbyist at the center of an ongoing investigation of House Majority Leader Tom Delay.
A Senate committee is scrutinizing lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Indian casino lobbyist and an associate of Delay's, and Michael Scanlon, also a lobbyist and former aide to Delay, who are accused of swindling $82 million from tribal clients and manipulating tribal elections for personal gain. CREW
Jack Abramoff and his Web of Corruption
Source: SEAN GONSALVES, Cape Cod Times
20 May 2005 Wampanoag tribal leaders have distanced themselves from a controversial lobbyist at the center of an ongoing investigation of House Majority Leader Tom Delay.
A Senate committee is scrutinizing lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Indian casino lobbyist and an associate of Delay's, and Michael Scanlon, also a lobbyist and former aide to Delay, who are accused of swindling $82 million from tribal clients and manipulating tribal elections for personal gain. CREW
2 comments:
The questionable records of the investors of the proposed casino should be of concern to more people. IMO, we should have taken a closer look at who we're really dealing with BEFORE the Agreement was signed.
Talia, you've made a good point and I'll comment further.
Jessie
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