WASHINGTON - Sen. Kent Conrad says he has already given away campaign donations connected to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, while Rep. Earl Pomeroy says he will return his own Abramoff-related donations.
Abramoff pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington on Tuesday to mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion charges. As part of a plea agreement, he agreed to share information with investigators about alleged bribes to lawmakers and their aides in an influence-peddling probe.
Wednesday, Abramoff pleaded guilty to separate charges of conspiracy and wire fraud stemming from his 2000 purchase of a gambling boat fleet.
Conrad, D-N.D., said Wednesday that he donated $3,750 in Abramoff-related campaign dollars to North Dakota's tribal colleges in early December. The donations to Conrad's campaign included $2,000 from two tribes represented by Abramoff and $1,750 from colleagues who worked at Abramoff's firm.
Pomeroy, D-N.D., said Wednesday that he will return $6,950 in donations. That includes $4,500 from the tribal clients and $2,450 from an Abramoff associate, according to his spokeswoman.
Chump change compared to Byron Dorgan's $67,000.
So all three members for North Dakota's Congressional delegation took money directly from Abramoff. Sure, none of them ever took it "directly" from Abramoff, but they sure as heck took it from his associate/employees (Dorgan had previously admitted to taking money from Abramoff employees).
Which begs the question: How do you receive contributions from an employee/associate of Abramoff without knowing that the money is coming from Abramoff? The answer is that you don't. This is a weasely cop-out being employed by politicians wishing to distance themselves from some shady dealings.
It always amazes me how these people are quick to condemn once someone like Abramoff comes under scrutiny/gets convicted. If he's such a "moral leper" than why did they accept money from him and/or his associates? What's also amazing is the "We took money from tribal interests long before Abramoff came along."
Talk about unconvincing. That these politicians were in the pockets of Indian interests before Abramoff came along is hardly reassuring. And don't be fooled when they say that they were "acting in the interest of American Indians," because they weren't. They were acting in the interest of American Indian Casinos. There's a big difference. Anyone with any knowledge about modern reservation life knows that these casinos are doing more harm than good.
Maybe the end of this political gravy train will wake some people up to that.