Politics
Group: Pombo donations linked to tribal hearings


Tribal donations to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the powerful chairman of the House Resources Committee, are often linked to hearings on tribal issues, according to a watchdog group.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington calls Pombo one of the "most corrupt" members of Congress. He has received $221,000 from tribes since 1999, the group says [CREW Website].

This year alone, tribes have given $90,000 to Pombo. The top donor was the Paskenta Band of Nomiaki Indians in California. Coming in second was the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.

The Mashpee donations came from the tribe's chairman, vice chairman and other members. They coincided with a hearing Pombo held that was favorable to the tribe's federal recognition petition. He later introduced a bill to speed up the tribe's case.

In another example, Pombo held a hearing on the Osage Nation sovereignty bill within days of receiving $5,000 from the Oklahoma tribe.

Get the Story:
Beneficiary of tribal donations on watchdog's 'most corrupt' list (The Cape Cod Times 11/29)

Relevant Links:
Rep. Richard Pombo - http://www.house.gov/pombo
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

Related Stories:
Pombo has received $90K from tribes this year (10/20)
Pombo has taken $71K from tribes so far this year (07/14)
Shinnecock Nation backers hold Pombo fundraiser (7/13)
Pombo schedules New York land claims hearing (07/11)
Pombo asks DOJ to widen investigation of Abramoff (07/06)
Pombo supports settlement of Cobell trust fund case (06/27)
Democrats look for candidate to run against Pombo (06/09)
Pombo asked again to investigate Abramoff (4/15)
Pombo brings off-reservation hearing to California (6/7)
Pombo continues hearings on off-reservation gaming (05/02)
Pombo collected $40K from tribes so far this year (04/25)
Pombo asked again to investigate Abramoff (04/15)
House committee takes up off-reservation gaming (03/18)
Off-reservation gaming hearing set by Pombo (3/15)
Congress steps into off-reservation casino fight (3/14)
Pombo circulates draft of off-reservation bill (3/11)
Pombo took on controversial topics in 108th Congress (12/16)
Pombo took $5K from tribe with bill before committee (07/19)
Pombo accepts money from tribes, tribal lobbyists (06/22)
Pombo visit to South Dakota highlights tribal issues (04/20)
Pombo invited to buffalo hunt on Rosebud Reservation (04/09)
House chairman shares common concerns (11/18)
House chairman supports self-governance rider (10/14)
House panels change hands in 108th Congress (01/10)