Sen. Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) won't give back $2,750 in donations from four people who worked with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff although at least one of his Republican colleagues has done so.
DeMint says he won't return the money because it didn't come from gaming interests. But all of Abramoff's clients were wealthy gaming tribes and a non-Indian gaming company.
DeMint denies being influenced or lobbied by Abramoff. Still, he accepted the money around the time he sent a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, asking her to oppose a casino that Abramoff's client opposed.
Rep. Jim Talent (R-Missouri) has returned $2,000 in Abramof donations because he said the disgraced lobbyist has done something "illegal."
Get the Story:Probe connects DeMint, lobbyist (The State 11/22) November 2, 2005, Hearing:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee Relevant Documents:
Exhibits from Hearing | Senate Witness List / Testimony Related Stories:
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