Choctaws Quiet About Lobbyist Ties

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported by the Hattiesburg American: "Chief Phillip Martin of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians appears to be winning his fight to shield from public scrutiny his ties to two men accused of fleecing Indian tribes.

"One of the men, Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, appeared at a hearing last week before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, where committee members asked him about his dealings with the Choctaws and other tribes that run gambling operations.

"But Abramoff asserted his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

"..Senate investigators say Abramoff and Scanlon bilked their tribal clients by promising them connections to powerful Washington players in return for huge fees. Investigators say the tribes got little for their money.

"Members of some tribes that had hired Abramoff and Scanlon testified at Wednesday's hearing, but the committee did not demand testimony from Martin or any member of the Choctaw tribe. Martin, one of the most powerful tribal leaders in the nation, is a friend of several committee members, including Campbell and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"…The Choctaws were among the earliest clients of Abramoff and Scanlon. According to filings with the secretary of the Senate, the tribe has paid Abramoff nearly $11 million since 1998 and has paid Scanlon millions more. In addition, the Choctaws gave more than $1 million to the National Center for Public Policy Research, a nonprofit group where Abramoff is a board member."