The Interior Department's Office of Inspector General is reviewing all contacts between department officials and the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, a group founded by Secretary Gale Norton.

The group is said to have lobbied Interior on behalf of former clients of Jack Abramoff. According to The Hill newspaper, the group contacted former deputy secretary J. Steven Griles and other top officials. CREA received $175,000 in donations from two tribes -- the Coushattas of Louisiana and the Tiguas of Texas -- who were represented by Abramoff.

The Arizona Republic said the investigation also extends to Interior's contacts with Abramoff himself.

Get the Story:
Feds probe GOP team's link to lobbyist (The Arizona Republic 3/3)

Relevant Links:
Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy - http://www.crea-online.org/crea

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