Two Washington lobbyists who are the subject of an upcoming Senate hearing helped organize opposition to the Tigua Tribe of Texas and then sought the tribe's money when its casino was shut down.

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations consultant Michael Scanlon worked with Christian conservative Ralph Reed to call for the closure of the tribe's casino. The state had been locked in a multi-year legal battle over the status of the facility, which had been offering Class III games.

A federal court sided with the state and ordered the casino to be closed. Then, Abramoff and Scanlon approached the tribe with the promise of reopening the casino. According to The Washington Post, the tribe gave $4.2 million to Scanlon's firm in hopes of obtaining favorable legislation.

At least $2.1 million went to Abramoff, according to the paper. In an e-mail, Abramoff called the Tiguas "moronic" and said he wanted to get his "mitts" on the their money.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee holds a hearing Wednesday on the lobbying activities of Abramoff and Scanlon.

Get the Story:
Insiders Worked Both Sides of Gaming Issue (The Washington Post 9/25)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Group opposing Poarch Creeks tied to tribal lobbyists (09/16)
Coushattas used lobbyists to spy on tribes, critics (09/13)
Bush strategist now knows source of tribal funds (09/01)
Bush strategist claims no knowledge of funds (8/31)
Bush-GOP strategist admits taking tribal money (8/30)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Coushatta member threatened over recall effort (08/09)
Coushatta Tribe's lobbying records subpoenaed (07/23)
Hearing on high lobbying fees expected in September (07/16)
GOP strategist denies secretly taking tribal money (7/15)
Tribal money secretly funneled to GOP strategist (06/25)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Saginaw Chippewa leader who paid lobbyists ousted (06/04)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)
Tribal chairman says $120K fee to Abramoff worth it (05/18)
Republican governors report biggest donor in 2002 (05/04)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe wonders where $14M went (04/20)
McCain demands documents from lobbyist, PR exec (04/12)
Coushatta treasurer accuses NIGC of lax oversight (04/12)
Choctaw chief Martin defends embattled GOP lobbyist (04/09)
McCain pushing Choctaw tribe to cooperate with probe (4/8)
Coushatta leaders used tribal money to pay lobbyists (4/8)
Coushatta Tribe paid $32M to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (4/6)
McCain aggressive in pursuing lobbyist records (4/5)
McCain demands documents for tribal lobbyist's work (3/30)
Embattled lobbyist signs deal with another firm (03/25)
Embattled tribal lobbyist gave to Conn. Congressman (03/10)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe hires new lobbying firm (3/9)
McCain begins investigation into high tribal fees (3/4)
Pueblo governor says $1M fee to PR firm not worth it (3/3)
McCain calls for investigation into tribal spending (2/27)
Four tribes spent $45M on lobbying and PR firms (2/23)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)
Embattled tribe gets has new lobbyist (12/13)