Abramoff Scandal
Sen. Stabenow notes Saginaw Chippewa contribution


Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) has corrected a campaign finance report to note that she received $4,000 from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, not from the tribe's former legislative director.

Her campaign said Christopher Petras was mistakenly listed as the donor for two separate contributions of $2,000 each. Petras had been listed as the tribe's contact.

The donations came as the tribe was seeking $3 million for a school construction project. Jack Abramoff lobbied members of Congress for the special appropriation. The tribe has since returned the money.

Petras appeared at a September 29, 2004, hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. and said he found Abramoff after doing an Internet search on lobbyists. He was in regular contact with Abramoff via e-mail and occasional meetings in Washington, although e-mails show that Abramoff took a dim view of Petras.

Get the Story:
Stabenow Campaign Corrects Finance Records (AP 4/26)
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Saginaw Chippewa Letter:
Dear Congressional Appropriators (April 6, 2006)

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

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