Freshman Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was a key player in efforts to shut down two tribal casinos in Texas but he denies knowing disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff was also involved.

As attorney general of Texas, John Cornyn filed suits against the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. The courts eventually ordered the tribes to close their Class III casinos, saying they gave up their gaming rights in exchange for federal recognition.

The effort helped Cornyn get elected to the Senate. But three years later, he says he had no contact with Abramoff, who organized a campaign among Christian organizations in Texas to provide political "cover" for Cornyn.

Cornyn also says he had no contact with Ralph Reed, a Christian activist who supported the closure of the two casinos. Reed was paid $4.1 million for his role -- money that came from the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, a wealthy client of Abramoff's that wanted to protect its gaming establishment from competition.

Get the Story:
Cornyn denies ties to lobbyist (The Fort Worth Star-Telegram 4/17)
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Casino-owning tribe gambled wrong on Republican lobbyist (The San Antonio Express-News Staff 4/16)
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