Abramoff Scandal
Ex-Indian housing aide doesn't recall Abramoff


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)
pw1

Relevant Links:
Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD - http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih
National American Indian Housing Council - http://naihc.net

Related Stories:
Former HUD official Liu drops lobbying effort (09/01)
HUD expands home loan program in Oregon (08/08)
Aloha! Michael Liu leaving HUD for private sector (05/05)
Senators question Bush administration's budget cuts (02/17)
Native veterans question Bush administration budget (02/17)
Official cites 'tight' budget for Indian housing (2/9)
Indian housing funds see no major increase (11/24)
Congress restores Bush's cuts to Indian programs (11/22)
Bush says housing program he's cutting is 'working' (08/12)
Tribes challenge policy affecting federal housing funds (05/04)
Indian housing funds face cuts in Bush budget (04/14)
Tribes tackle budget woes under Bush administration (4/13)
Housing campaign seeks to build 100,000 homes (02/27)
Senate panel shares criticism of Bush budget (02/12)
Tribal leaders pressing Congress on funding (02/11)
Native American Bank offers new mortgage program (01/21)
Indians fight discrimination when renting homes (11/21)
Indian housing funds face more scrutiny (3/4)
Bush budget restricts spending on Indian Country (02/10)
Senate clears new funds for Indian programs (01/24)
Housing scarce for thousands of Indian families (01/22)
Indian housing bill signed into law (11/15)
A busy year for Congress on Indian affairs (10/22)
Senate renews Indian housing law (10/8)
Court rules tribes immune from discrimination law (8/14)
Bush names Liu to Indian housing post (6/22)
Native Corp. to appeal housing denial (6/4)
Alaska Native housing plan rejected (5/29)
Audit: Alaska Native dorm improperly approved (4/17)
HUD Budget: No big benefit for Indian Country (4/12)
Martinez to clean HUD house (2/21)