Human Events, a conservative publication, says Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is haunted by her association with a former tribal client of Jack Abramoff's.

Stabenow supported a $3 million earmark for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. So did Republican Rep. Dave Camp, who happens to be a vice chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus.

Stabenow recently amended a campaign finance report to show that received $4,000 from the tribe rather than Christopher Petras, the tribe's former legislative director. Human Events incorrectly states he was a lobbyist.

The tribe has since returned the $3 million and asked that it be used to restore $3 million that the Bush administration took from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to pay for the Cobell trust fund case. The money was eventually used to patch up the hole in the budget.

Get the Story:
Abramoff Indian Deal Haunts Stabenow (Human Events 6/6)

Jim Cason Letter II:
Dear Tribal Leader (May 1, 2006)

Saginaw Chippewa Letter:
Dear Congressional Appropriators (April 6, 2006)

Jim Cason Letter I:
Dear Tribal Leader (January 26, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe - http://www.sagchip.org
Saginaw Chippewa Member Voices - http://www.sagchipvoices.org

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