The chairman of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians called for an investigation of alleged contacts between former Interior deputy secretary J. Steven Griles and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

D.K. Sprague has been leading his tribe, also known as the Gun Lake Band, in an attempt to acquire an initial reservation in Michigan. The tribe plans to open a casino on the land.

But Abramoff claimed that Griles was "committed" to blocking the casino, The Washington Post reported in an August 28 front-page story. Abramoff was trying to get Griles hired at his lobbying firm, the paper said.

The tribe has since moved forward with its land-into-trust request, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs beating back challenges in the federal courts

Get the Story:
Lobbyist influence in fighting casino is questioned (The Grand Rapids Press 8/31)

Inspector General Report:
J. Steven Griles Investigation (March 2004)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
Norton stripping BIA of trust duties (November 16, 2001) | Tribal leaders in uproar over proposal (November 16, 2001) | Griles taking lead on trust reform (November 5, 2001)

Indianz.Com Profile:
Deputy Secretary: J. Steven Griles (3/9)

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Griles fought casino opposed by Abramoff's clients (03/14)
Bush nominates replacement for Griles at Interior (02/09)
In the Loop: Griles forms new lobbying partnership (01/31)
Editorial: Good riddance to J. Steven Griles (12/20)
Norton to remain on job for second Bush term (12/10)
Top Interior official resigns from Bush administration (12/08)
Griles blames controversies on Bush opponents (12/08)
Report blames lax culture for Griles ethical 'train wreck' (03/17)
Bush strategy assumes no trust mismanagement (11/05)
Court challenges move to 'extinguish' rights (11/04)
Judge rejects Norton's 'absurd' accounting claim (09/23)
Griles nearly perjured himself (9/18)
White House embroiled in trust fund mess (07/31)
House clears DOI budget bill (7/18)
Griles slammed for ignorance (7/12)
Norton's accounting funds limited (6/28)
Griles can't explain trust standards (6/27)
Recusal didn't bar Griles involvement (5/27)
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