Could this put DeLay back on the hot seat where he belongs?

[bertha katzenengel]

Damn, the Washington Post didn't waste any time posting their story about today's Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on tribal lobbying.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/22/AR2005062200921.html

"A former Republican lobbyist and his partner pocketed $6.5 million of the $7.7 million in consulting fees they received from a Mississippi Indian tribe in 2001 while congratulating themselves on their "gimme five" relationship, according to e-mails released today by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

"The hearing is the third held by the committee examining the practices of Jack Abramoff, formerly one of the most prominent Republican lobbyists in Washington, and his partner Michael Scanlon, a public relations consultant and former spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas). Abramoff also is at the center of a Justice Department investigation into the tens of millions of dollars in lobbying fees he and Scanlon received from tribes around the country."

~snip~

"In March, The Washington Post reported that the Choctaw and a gambling services company made donations to Ridenour's group covering most of the cost of a $70,000 trip to Britain by DeLay, his wife, two aides and two lobbyists in mid-2000.

"Ridenour said in written testimony that at the time she invited DeLay on the trip, "I did not know we would be receiving contributions from the Mississippi Choctaws that year."

"The trip came two months before DeLay helped kill legislation opposed by the tribe and the company, eLottery Inc. . . ."

~snip~

The article largely repeats what's already been known, but it's good to see they jumped all over it again as a result of today's hearing. Since this was posted before the hearing ended, look to tomorrow's article to be better.

[Double T]

1. Impeachment and Shackles Sounds Good To Me