Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), the former House majority leader who was forced to relinquish his post due to ongoing legal troubles, is denying that he is a target of the Jack Abramoff probe.

DeLay has told people that the Department of Justice contacted his lawyers and told him he was not a target. But a law enforcement official quoted by The Dallas Morning News said the investigation is "wide open" and that targets may not always be notified.

DeLay once called Abramoff a "dear friend." He may have provided legislative favors to Abramoff's tribal and other clients in exchange for expensive trips, campaign contributions and other items of value.

In one example, he went on a golf trip to Scotland that was partly financed by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. He then opposed a gaming bill that went against the tribe's interests and inserted an editorial into the Congressional record that praised Choctaw Chief Philip Martin.

In another case, he urged the Bush administration to shut down the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's casino outside Houston. He did so after accepting $1,000 from the Choctaws.

Get the Story:
DeLay: Justice says I'm not probe target (The Dallas Morning News 1/27)
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George Will: Hammering Away (The Washington Post 1/26)
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Relevant Links:
Rep. Tom DeLay - http://tomdelay.house.gov

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