Freshman Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) has several ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff but they haven't hurt his career, political analysts tell The Baton Rouge Advocate.

Vitter has been aggressively trying to stop the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians from opening a casino in the state. He says the effort has nothing to do with Abramoff, who was hired by another tribe to oppose the Jena Band.

But Vitter confirmed that his staff worked with Abramoff's firm to draft language in an appropriations bill that went against the tribe. He let Abramoff host a fundraiser at Abramoff's restaurant at the time the bill was being considered in the fall of 2003.

Vitter says he opposes gaming but eventually admitted that he knew Abramoff's clients were gaming tribes.

Get the Story:
Vitter quiet, but hardly unnoticed (The Baton Rouge Advocate 5/30)

Relevant Links:
Jena Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.jenachoctaw.org

Related Stories:
Bush officials worried about off-reservation gaming (05/20)
Bloomberg: Abramoff tribes gave $1.4M to Congress (05/19)
Column: Tribal bucks went to Republican interests (05/13)
McCain won't touch lawmakers in probe of Abramoff (04/28)
Both sides fighting tribe have ties to Abramoff (03/25)
Jena Choctaw Band back in spotlight in Louisiana (3/22)
Vitter won't say why he OKed Abramoff fundraiser (03/17)
Vitter responsible for anti-tribal appropriations rider (3/16)
Griles fought casino opposed by Abramoff client (3/14)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (3/14)
DOI investigates contacts with group started by Norton (03/03)
Vitter denies helping Abramoff's former client (03/02)
Report: Former Norton organization subpoenaed (3/1)
Tribes gave $175K to group founded by Norton (2/28)
Coushatta Tribe sues ex-lobbyists for $32M (11/17)
Vitter 'conned' by group opposing tribe (11/12)
Senate panel asks Coushatta Tribe for tapes (10/27)
Ralph Reed paid $4.1M to oppose tribes (10/26)
Congressman denies knowing of tribe's backing (10/18)
Congressman's anti-gaming push backed by tribe (10/15)
Coushattas used lobbyists to spy on tribes, critics (09/13)
Coushatta member threatened over recall effort (08/09)
Coushatta treasurer accuses NIGC of lax oversight (04/12)
Coushatta leaders used tribal money to pay lobbyists (4/8)
Coushatta Tribe paid $32M to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (4/6)
Congressman builds opposition to Choctaw tribe (02/19)
Lawmaker seeks public input on casino plans (01/28)
Congressman to fight Jena casino proposal (01/23)
Editorial: Say no to tribal casino proposal (01/13)
Governor supports tribe's land request (01/10)
Choctaw Tribe still looking for land (09/05)
Still flapping over Jena compact (4/5)
Jena Choctaws still shopping (4/3)
Jena Choctaws continue search (3/11)
Choctaw casino compact rejected (3/8)
Jena casino news (3/8)
Jena casino compact denied (3/7)
Delay in Choctaw decision sought (3/7)
La. senator opposes Choctaw casino (3/5)
Norton lobbied on Choctaw casino (2/28)
Foster, Choctaw for casino (2/27)
La. Choctaws facing opposition (2/22)
Jena Choctaw plan large casino (2/7)
Choctaw seeking Louisiana casino (2/6)
AP: Choctaw compact approved (2/5)