This just in... Burns helps out a
Michigan tribe.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112605A.shtml
Quote:
Report: Burns Part of Lobbyist Probe
The Missoulian
Saturday 26 November 2005
Helena - The scope of a US Justice Department investigation of indicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff is wider than previously believed and now includes his dealings with US Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
(Snip)
Burns, up for re-election next year, helped one of Abramoff's tribal clients, the Saginaw Chippewa tribe in Michigan, obtain a $3 million congressional grant to build a school. Because of its Indian gambling, the tribe is one of the richest in the nation and makes annual $70,000 payments to each member.
The Montana senator has denied any wrongdoing. Burns, who headed a Senate subcommittee overseeing the grants, said he pushed for the grant to the Saginaw Chippewa tribe at the urging of Michigan's two US senators, both Democrats.
The Journal said Burns has received $150,000 in contributions from Abramoff, his lobbying partners and his clients since 2001.
In addition, the Journal reported the Justice Department is investigating at least 17 current and former congressional aides, with about half taking lobbying jobs with Abramoff, and two former Bush administration officials. Abramoff hired three Burns aides to join his lobbying firm.
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I have to believe that Scanlon knows where to turn all of the rocks. Even so, the behavior of Burns should have produced a red flag long ago. If something like this has been treated as "business as usual", I suspect we have a gravel pit of corruption involving both parties.