A watchdog group that prepared the ethics complaint against House Majority DeLay (R-Texas) and is suing the National Indian Gaming Commission for information about the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal has prepared another complaint against Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) for his role in scamming the Tigua Tribe of Texas.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington says Ney may have broken several laws by taking money from the tribe in exchange for inserting language into a bill to reopen the tribe's casino. Ney was willing to go forward but the effort failed when Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) said he knew nothing about it.
Tribal leaders testified that Abramoff and his partner Michael Scanlon duped them into paying $4.2 million for the campaign. In a subsequent profile in The New York Times, Abramoff denies scamming the tribe, instead placing the blame on Dodd ("then all of a sudden, he changed!") and accusing Ney of being "crazy" for distancing himself from the controversy. Ney "was on the phone [with the Tiguas] for an hour and a half!'' Abramoff said.
The scam was the subject of a November 17 hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
Get the Story:Ney complaint in search of a filer (The Hill 5/17)
Tribe's lawyer says Republican operatives lied about 'greasing' Dodd (The Manchester Journal Inquirer 5/16) Relevant Documents:
Complaint | Complaint Summary | Exhibits Relevant Links:
Rep. Bob Ney - http://ney.house.gov
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - http://www.citizensforethics.org Related Stories:
Column: Ney investigated for Abramoff donations (5/11)
Abramoff lobbying scandal prompts look at rules (5/9)
Jack Abramoff breaks silence on lobbying scandal (5/2)
McCain won't touch lawmakers in probe of Abramoff (4/28)
Ney signed onto bill after using tribe's luxury suite (4/28)
Foe of Texas tribes denies knowing Abramoff (4/18)
Tigua Tribe settles dispute over Abramoff fees (02/14)
Probe sought of Congressman linked to lobbyists (01/07)
Editorial: Ney's judgment 'clouded' by Abramoff (12/20)
Ney to meet with ethics panel over Abramoff ties (12/16)
Congressman subject of inquiry for Abramoff ties (12/15)
Editorial: Ney not exactly a victim in Tigua case (12/03)
Former Ney chief of staff worked with Abramoff (11/19)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Tigua Tribe to testify at Senate lobbying hearing (11/16)
Tigua Tribe mum on Washington lobbyists (10/12)
Texas AG asked to investigate Abramoff, Scanlon (10/1)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Tigua Tribe outraged over being played as 'moronic' (9/28)
Tribes told to donate to lobbyists' foundation (9/28)
Lobbyists worked for, against 'moronic' Tiguas (9/27) Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
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)