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Politics
Ex-Coushatta leader paid $25K for White House meet


The outgoing chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Lousiana paid $25,000 to attend a White House meeting organized by a Republican anti-tax activist.

Lovelin Poncho's signature is on the check for the Americans for Tax Reform, The Lake Charles American Press reported. The group is headed by Grover Norquist, who says the Senate Indian Affairs Committee's investigation of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff is a personal vendetta of Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona).

"McCain hates me," Norquist told The New York Times. He said McCain is going after people who supported President George W. Bush in the 2000 Republican primary that McCain lost.

Poncho gave money to Norquist, an ally of Abramoff. Poncho hired Abramoff and gave him and his firm $32 million in tribal funds.

Get the Story:
Coushatta leader paid $25,000 for White House gathering (AP 6/5)

Relevant Links:
Coushatta Tribe - http://www.coushattatribela.org
Americans for Tax Reform - http://www.atr.org

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