Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff says he wants to make amends in Indian Country for swindling tribes out of tens of millions of dollars.

Abramoff, who was released from prison in June 2010, has been ordered to repay some $44 million to his former clients. He says he wants to help them in other ways as well.

“After I have completed the court-imposed community service and restitution, which I am now paying, I hope they will allow me to be of service," Abramoff told The Hill newspaper.

Abramoff recently apologized for cheating the Tigua Tribe in Texas out of $4.2 million. But he didn't apologize in person or attempt to contact tribal officials.

“The names he called us alone says what kind of man he is,” Jay St. Goddard, the chairman of the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, told the Hill. “Now he’s lobbying for forgiveness, but he’ll strike again. Coyotes always do.”

Get the Story:
Tribes rip Abramoff, ethics watchdogs (The Hill 3/7)
Jack Abramoff Confronted By Native American Tribes (The Huffington Post 3/7)
Jack's back: Former Tribal lobbyist makes pitch for reform (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 3/7)