Ta'neeszahnii Techno

Washington, D.C. — After seven months of investigating charges of Indian tribes being victimized by high-profile lobbyists, today Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell presided over a hearing of the Indian Affairs Committee and received testimony that Jack Abramoff and Mike Scanlon, and the corporations they owned, had walked away with nearly seventy million dollars in fees for what can only be described as less than honorable dealings.

“I am horrified by what I believe these men and their accomplices pulled off to the detriment of the tribes and their members. By manipulating tribal elections and installing people favorable to their greedy ends, they engineered a situation and enriched themselves --- all the while holding these same Indian people in incredibly low regard.” Said Campbell.

The low regard in which these men held their Indian clients was clearly evidenced by emails, entered into the hearing record today by Senator Campbell. “They called them monkeys, mofos, morons and idiots, and even worse!” Said Campbell. “I could not believe this until I had actually seen the emails. And this from the man who called racist the Washington Post reporter that broke the story on his fraudulent activities.”

After Jack Abramoff refused to answer questions, asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and Mike Scanlon failed to appear, Campbell heard from Chairman Richard Milanovich, of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and Sub-Chief Bernard Sprague, of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. These two tribal leaders corroborated that Mr. Abramoff and Mr. Scanlon manipulated the election process of their tribes, were able to secure exorbitant fees with the aid of tribal officials elected with their help, and never revealed to the tribes the secret partnership of these two men.

“I am reminded of the 19th century when Indian agents were supposed to watch out for and take care of their Indian charges. But, boy oh boy, did these guys ever 'take care' of their clients in this case. It is shameful, immoral, and damn-near illegal as far as I can tell”, said Campbell.

Chairman Campbell confirmed that the investigation into these men will continue, and that the Committee plans other hearings to bring more of this shameful conduct within public scrutiny.




September 29, 2004

For More Information
Contact PAUL MOOREHEAD
(202) 224-2251

Blackbear

Abramoff Pleads the Fifth--(HOLY COW READ THIS!)

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