Former Interior Department official J. Steven Griles is due to be released from federal prison after serving 10 months for his role in the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Griles admitted he lied to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee about his relationship with Abramoff. He continued to dispute the extent of his involvement in the scandal up until he was sentenced for his crime last June.

According to the Bureau of Prisons he reported to prison on September 13, 2007. Earlier this week, the inmate locator showed he was projected to be released this week but the site now reports his status as "unknown."

Griles was deputy secretary at Interior, with wide range of authority over Indian issues. Federal prosecutors said he tried to influence decisions affecting Abramoff's tribal clients.

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