Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) wrote letters on behalf of one faction of the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa with the help of one of Jack Abramoff's associates, the Associated Press reports.

Harkin wrote the Interior Department and the National Indian Gaming Commission at least three times in 2003. That was the year the tribe's casino was shut down as a result of an internal dispute.

Harkin acknowledged that Michael D. Smith, a lobbyist who worked with Abramoff, helped write the letters on behalf of a faction that was eventually recognize as the legitimate tribal leadership. "Absolutely, he did contribute to those letters," Harkin's spokesperson told the AP.

Harkin also held a fundraiser in a sports arena skybox that was leased by Abramoff and collected $17,000 in Abramoff-related donations.

The tribe hired Greenberg Traurig in 2003. Abramoff did not work directly on the casino issue, according to Senate records [Link].

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Lobbyist helped senator write tribal pleas (AP 12/3)
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