The former head of Indian and public housing says he can't remember meeting convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff or any of Abramoff's associates.

Michael Liu, who is now a lobbyist, said it would have been pointless for Abramoff to lobby him on tribal housing issues. "Frankly, it would be a waste of money to try and lobby someone like me in regard to Indian housing. Appropriations are formula driven," Liu told McClatchy Newspapers.

Abramoff and his associates lobbied the Department of Housing and Urban Development on behalf of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. Lobbying records show they tried to contact former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez and Alphonso Jackson, who now serves as secretary.

Martinez at first denied any connection with Abramoff but The Miami Herald reported that Abramoff co-hosted a fundraiser that netted $250,000 for Martinez's Senate campaign.

Get the Story:
Did Abramoff lobby HUD? (The Miami Herald 12/10)
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Relevant Links:
Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD - http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih
National American Indian Housing Council - http://naihc.net

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