"Until recently, the office of Ralph Reed, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, issued a standard prepared denial whenever the press inquired about allegations that Reed had knowingly accepted millions of dollars from Indian tribes with gambling interests.

The statement began by acknowledging Reed's work with Greenberg Traurig, a Washington law firm that turned out to be representing Indian casinos. However, the statement went on to claim that "we had no direct knowledge of [Greenberg Traurig's] clients or interests. At no time were we retained by nor did we represent any casino or casino company."

That wasn't true.

E-mails released Wednesday by a Senate committee directly contradict Reed's claim of having 'no direct knowledge of their clients or interests.' They demonstrate that Reed clearly knew the money was coming from the Choctaw tribe of Mississippi, which ran a lucrative gambling operation and was trying to bar other tribes from opening competing casinos.

"Ralph, I spoke with our managing partner and he has approved the subcontractor arrangement . . ," says a 1999 e-mail from Jack Abramoff, a longtime Reed friend and a lawyer with Greenberg Traurig. "So, it would be very helpful if you could get me invoices as soon as possible so I can get Choctaw to get us checks asap."

Reed received, read and responded to that e-mail. Three hours later, he sent an e-mail to Abramoff listing $101,000 in expenses that he incurred on behalf of the Choctaws."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Reed's bill of goods (The Atlanta Journal Constitution 6/24)
pwday

Committee Exhibits:
Part 1 | Part 2

Witness List/Testimony:
Oversight Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on the In Re Tribal Lobbying Matters, Et Al (June 22, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.choctaw.org
Century Strategies - http://www.censtrat.com

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