The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana spent $32 million on disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and made at least $300,000 in campaign contributions at his request, documents show.

The tribe hired Abramoff to lobby on Indian gaming and tribal issues. But tribal officials now question whether the services were worth the high fees.

They also wonder why the tribe made so many donations to Republican candidates and obscure Republican groups with little connection to Indian gaming or tribal issues. The Associated Press obtained documents detailing the tribe's contributions, including some to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) that were redirected to other GOP interests.

The Coushatta Tribe has since elected a new chairman who does not support Abramoff. Former chairman Lovelin Poncho decided not to seek re-election.

Get the Story:
AP: Abramoff's Web of Influence in Capitol (AP 6/22)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Coushatta Tribe - http://www.coushattatribela.org

Related Stories:
New Coushatta chairman hopes to sort out scandal (06/10)
Coushatta Tribe swears in first new chair in 20 years (6/9)
Coushatta Tribe elects ex-police chief as chairman (6/6)
Abramoff supporter in running for Coushatta chair (5/30)
Coushatta tribal member went on DeLay golf outing (05/06)
Coushatta Tribe sues Abramoff, Scanlon in state court (04/22)
Coushatta Tribe hires law firm linked to DeLay (03/18)
Coushatta Tribe sues ex-lobbyists for $32M (11/17)
Coushatta Tribe to sue lobbyists for $32M (10/4)
Coushattas used lobbyists to spy on tribes, critics (09/13)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Coushatta member threatened over recall effort (08/09)
Coushatta Tribe's lobbying records subpoenaed (07/23)
GOP strategist denies secretly taking tribal money (7/15)
Tribal money secretly funneled to GOP strategist (06/25)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)
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)
McCain begins investigation into high tribal fees (3/4)
McCain calls for investigation into tribal spending (2/27)
Four tribes spent $45M on lobbying and PR firms (2/23)