Cherokee Nation chief took money from Abramoff

Thursday, April 12, 2007  

Cherokee Nation Chief Chad Smith accepted a $1,500 campaign contribution from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, The Oklahoma Gazette reports.

Smith took the money in 2002, when he was running for re-election. The following year, Cherokee Nation enterprises hired Abramoff and paid his firm about $120,000, according to Senate records.

Smith is running again this year. He has faced criticism for supporting a referendum that denied tribal citizenship to the Freedmen, the descendants of African slaves.

Get the Story:
Oklahoma Cherokee chief calls Abramoff accusations ‘desperate’ (The Oklahoma Gazette 4/11)
Note: In order to read the story, you must click on the story link.

Sovereign Immunity Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19, 2006)

Jim Cason Letter:
Cherokee Nation Constitution (August 30, 2006)

Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal Decision in Freedmen Case:
Allen v. Cherokee Nation (March 7, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com

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