A conservative Republican activist who criticized Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) for investigating whether tribes were bilked out of $66 million has received contributions from tribes, The Washington Post reports.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, is an ally of Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon. The friendship dates to the 1980s, when Norquist was executive director at the College Republicans and Abramoff was chairman.

According to The Post, the relationship continued when Abramoff steered donations from his tribal clients to Norquist's tax organization. The group lobbied against efforts to tax Indian gaming in the mid-1990s.

Norquist denies the tribal donations drove the agenda of the organization. The Post did not report how much he received but suggested it could be in the millions.

In September, Norquist went out of his way to criticize the investigation of Scanlon and Abramoff. McCain wanted to steer tribal clients to his friends, Norquist charged.

The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 17.

Get the Story:
Abramoff Allies Keeping Distance (The Washington Post 11/8)
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