Tigua
Leaders Hope Casino Plans Proceed
As reported by the El Paso Times:
"Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff's guilty
pleas Tuesday to three federal criminal charges
and his agreement to cooperate with investigators
were a good way to begin 2006 for Tigua leaders,
who said they hope the development signals a
brighter year for the struggling tribe.
"'Just
imagine a staircase of justice and this is just
barely the first step because there's more to
come,' said Tigua Gov. Art Senclair.
"Abramoff,
whom the Tiguas and several other tribes hired
to lobby for gaming issues on Capitol Hill,
pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and tax
evasion charges and agreed to give investigators
information for their criminal investigation
into congressional corruption.
"…He
admitted to defrauding four Indian tribes, including
the Tiguas, and other clients; taking millions
in kickbacks from one-time business partner
Michael Scanlon; misusing a charity he established;
and failing to pay income taxes on millions
of ill- gotten gains.
"…The
Tiguas paid $4.2 million to Scanlon and Abramoff,
who said his connections in high Washington
places could get federal legislation passed
allowing the Tiguas to reopen the casino.
"Unknown
by the tribe, Abramoff had paid lobbyist Ralph
Reed millions to persuade Texas officials to
close the casino in the first place…"
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