Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) returned $1,000 to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, saying he never wanted the money in the first place.

LaTourette doesn't know why he received the donation but he is facing questions about his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He wrote two letters to the Bush administration in 2002 to benefit one of Abramoff's tribal clients. He also knows Neil Volz, a former Abramoff associate said to be part of the investigation.

The Mississippi Choctaws didn't respond to a request for comment about the donation, The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported. The tribe also gave $8,000 to Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), who is a target of the Abramoff probe, and $1,000 to Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio).

Get the Story:
LaTourette campaign returns $1,000 donated by tribe (The Cleveland Plain-Dealer 2/1)

Relevant Links:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.choctaw.org

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