Representatives of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts say their ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff won't hurt their case for federal recognition.

The tribe hired Abramoff and his former law firm to lobby Congress and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribal leaders have Abramoff did a good job and ended up paying the firm $40,000.

The BIA is now moving to issue a decision on the tribe's petition as a result of litigation. A team is being sent to Massachusetts to review the case with a preliminary determination to be issued by March and a final determination to come in the spring of 2007.

Get the Story:
Federal officals to visit Wampanoag tribe next week (AP 1/5)
Expert: Lobbyist scandal won't hurt Wampanoag (The Cape Cod Times 1/5)
Wampanoag say petition not at risk (The Cape Cod Times 1/4)

Relevant Documents:
Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com

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