Representatives of the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana attended a White House meeting with President George W. Bush that was partially underwritten by two former tribal clients of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

But a spokesperson said the White House has no records that the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana or the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians attended the May 9, 2001, meeting, the Associated Press reported. The tribes each gave $25,000 to cover the $100,000 cost of the event.

However, former Coushatta Chairman Lovelin Poncho has confirmed that he attended the meeting. But Choctaw Chief Philip Martin did not, an attorney for the tribe said.

The Coushattas and the Choctaws gave the money to Americans for Tax Reform, records show [PDF]. The group is headed by Grover Norquist, an associate of Bush's, and is fighting a subpoena as part of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation into Abramoff.

Get the Story:
Lobbyist Helped Indian Leaders Meet Bush (AP 6/8)
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Relevant Links:
Americans for Tax Reform - http://www.atr.org

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