Members of the House Government Reform Committee threatened to subpoena the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut for failing to detail its lobbying expenditures.

Schaghticoke Chief Richard Velky was set to testify at a hearing on the federal recognition process yesterday. But he decided not to on the advice of his lawyer. The hearing was stacked with critics of the Bureau of Indian Affairs who allege lobbyists and casino investors are influencing the process.

Leaders of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation testified they paid a lobbyist $600,000 over five years to monitor legislation and other Congressional developments. Chairwoman Marcia Flowers said she has never instructed Ron Kaufman, a former Bush I aide and brother-in-law of current White House chief of staff Andrew Card, to try and influence the outcome of the tribe's recognition petition. Kaufman told The Hartford Courant he has never contacted the BIA or the White House for the tribe.

Get the Story:
Pressure On Schaghticokes (The Hartford Courant 5/6)
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Trump Among Those Named in Inquiry Into Bankrolling of Would-Be Tribes (The New York Times 5/6)
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Recognition Process Ripped During Hearing (The New London Day 5/6)
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Tribal process called corrupt (The Norwich Bulletin 5/6)

Relevant Documents:
Testimony: Betting on Transparency (May 5, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com

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