Staffers for Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) helped Jack Abramoff's tribal clients gain access to Interior Secretary Gale Norton by suggesting they go through a Republican environmental organization that she had founded, the Associated Press reports.

Two DeLay aides traded e-mails soon after Norton was nominated by President Bush in December 2000. They talked about Abramoff's interest in contacting Norton and suggested that he go through the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy.

Norton helped found CREA and handed the reins to Italia Federeci after joining the Bush administration. The DeLay aides mentioned Federeci might be a way for Abramoff to get close to Norton.

After receiving the info from the DeLay staffers, Abramoff told his tribal clients to donate to CREA. The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana gave $150,000 in hopes of convincing Norton not to approve a casino for a rival tribe.

Get the Story:
DeLay's Staff Tried to Help Abramoff (AP 11/3)

Watch Hearing:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Relevant Documents:
Senate Witness List / Testimony

Relevant Links:
Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy - http://www.crea-online.org/crea

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