Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House Resources Committee, isn't worried about being linked to the Jack Abramoff scandal.
As head of the committee with jurisdiction over Indian and Insular affairs -- Abramoff's key areas -- Pombo was a key target of Abramoff's largess. But Pombo says he wasn't affected by campaign contributions sent his way.
"I met the guy a few times. He never lobbied me on anything. Never set foot in my office," Pombo tells The Los Angeles Times.
Pombo has taken in more than $500,000 from tribes, including $20,000 from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, a former client of Abramoff's firm. Tribal leaders have credited the lobbying effort to Pombos's push to make the Bureau of Indian Affairs issue a ruling on their long-delayed federal recognition petition.
Get the Story:Foe of Endangered Species Act on Defensive Over Abramoff (The Los Angeles Times 2/14) Relevant Links:
Rep. Richard Pombo - http://www.house.gov/pombo
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov Related Stories:
Pombo has accepted more than $500K from tribes (01/30)
Pombo takes on Indian issues but avoids Abramoff (12/20)
Pombo gives Abramoff cash to Red Lake Boys & Girls (12/16)
Pombo pressed to investigate Abramoff's work (12/15)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe donated $32K to Pombo (12/06)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe active in Washington (12/1)
Mashpee chair gave Abramoff e-mails to FBI (11/29)
Group: Pombo donations linked to tribal hearings (11/29)
Mashpee chairman happy with Abramoff work (11/22)
Pombo has received $90K from tribes this year (10/20)
Pombo has taken $71K from tribes so far this year (07/14)
Shinnecock Nation backers hold Pombo fundraiser (7/13)
Pombo schedules New York land claims hearing (07/11)
Pombo asks DOJ to widen investigation of Abramoff (07/06)
Pombo supports settlement of Cobell trust fund case (06/27)
Democrats look for candidate to run against Pombo (06/09)
Pombo asked again to investigate Abramoff (4/15)
Pombo brings off-reservation hearing to California (6/7)
Pombo continues hearings on off-reservation gaming (05/02)
Pombo collected $40K from tribes so far this year (04/25)
Pombo asked again to investigate Abramoff (04/15)
House committee takes up off-reservation gaming (03/18)
Off-reservation gaming hearing set by Pombo (3/15)
Congress steps into off-reservation casino fight (3/14)
Pombo circulates draft of off-reservation bill (3/11)
Pombo took on controversial topics in 108th Congress (12/16)
Pombo took $5K from tribe with bill before committee (07/19)
Pombo accepts money from tribes, tribal lobbyists (06/22)
Pombo visit to South Dakota highlights tribal issues (04/20)
Pombo invited to buffalo hunt on Rosebud Reservation (04/09)
House chairman shares common concerns (11/18)
House chairman supports self-governance rider (10/14)
House panels change hands in 108th Congress (01/10)