"The fortunes of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are well documented and marketed to the general public. They are a testament to overcoming racism and prospering against overwhelming odds. Even so, their leadership, federally recognized tribes in their region and their lobbyist colleagues have left one clear victim while pursuing their economic ventures.

National news has broadcast loudly and clearly that the Mississippi Choctaw are in collusion with lobbyists and politicians to suppress gaming and tribal recognition processes, especially in the neighboring state of Alabama. The Mississippi Choctaw�s recent 'testimony' in front of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs left the national audience with the impression that they were the ones who were scammed during all of this. They played the 'us poor Indians' card. The reality is that they still employ the very same lobbyists, minus one individual (Jack Abramoff) who they claim scammed them. Does the name Kevin Ring, 'ring' a bell? He is the same individual who was pleading the 5th during the Senate Select Committee hearing when questions as to his role in the scam were asked of him."

Get the Story:
Cedric Sunray: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: From social reality to legal fiction (The Native American Times 7/27)

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

Related Stories:
Editorial: Mississippi Choctaws victims of own greed (07/11)
Choctaws billed for meals at Abramoff restaurant (7/6)
Choctaws mum on donation to Christian Coalition (7/6)
Choctaw cash flowed freely to Ralph Reed for years (7/6)
McCain bashes Norquist for ripping off tribes (7/6)
Opinion: Tribes share blame for Abramoff scandal (7/4)
Time: Abramoff gave free dinners to Congressmen (7/4)
Lobbying Report: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (6/27)
Choctaws hire three ex-Abramoff lobbyists (6/27)
Senate committee plans to issue lobbying report (6/24)
Under scrutiny, Choctaw tribe goes into hiding (6/24)
Choctaws hire lobbyist accused in Abramoff fraud (6/24)
Editorial: Reed lied about taking money from Choctaws (6/24)
Opinion: Reed didn't lie, he just followed the law (6/24)
Ralph Reed pressed by rival to document tribal ties (6/24)
Column: Jack Abramoff's Choctaw Nation (6/24)
Column: No limits to Republican sleaze in Washington (6/24)
Editorial: Washington in worst lobbying scandal ever (6/24)
Update on Senate hearing into lobbying scandal (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws focus of Senate lobbying hearing (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws at center of lobbying hearing (6/22)
NIGA issues statement on tribal lobbying scandal (6/22)
Coushatta Tribe gave millions to lobbyists, campaigns (6/22)
Influence peddling on the rise in Washington (6/22)
Another hearing on Abramoff lobbying scandal (06/21)
Reed's story on Tiguas doesn't match Abramoff's (06/20)
Opinion sought on GOP group's use of tribal funds (06/16)
Other tribes attended White House meeting with Bush (06/08)
Two tribes paid $50K to attend White House meeting (06/07)
Miss Choctaws say gaming cash not used to lobby (05/31)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Ralph Reed changes story on $1.15M tribal donation (05/20)
GOP group funneled tribal money to anti-gamblers (05/13)
Money tribes gave to Abramoff ended up in Israel (4/25)
McCain plans to finish hearings on lobbyist scandal (03/21)
FEC ruling separates tribes from their businesses (03/14)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (3/14)
Mississippi Choctaw lawyer referred Abramoff (11/22)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Choctaw Tribe's lobbying documents kept secret (10/4)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Choctaw chief Martin defends embattled GOP lobbyist (04/09)
McCain pushing Choctaw tribe to cooperate with probe (4/8)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)