Interior ex-official denies helping lobbyist for casinos

Suzanne Gamboa
Associated Press
Washington - The Interior Department's former No. 2 official denied on Wednesday that he gave preferential treatment to a lobbyist under investigation for his work on behalf of Indian tribes and their casino interests.

Steven Griles' assertion was challenged by a one-time colleague and by senators who cited e-mails by the lobbyist, Jack Abramoff.

To the Senate committee investigating Abramoff and his partner, Michael Scanlon, Griles said it was "outrageous" and "un true" that they had special access to him, as they claim.

But Michael Rossetti, a former legal counselor to Interior Secretary Gail Norton, told senators he was alarmed when Griles "all of a sudden had an inexplicable desire to be involved" in meetings with Norton dealing with the Jena Band of Choctaws' effort to open a casino near the Texas- Louisiana border.

"Repeatedly on at least half a dozen occasions, he insisted on being in on meetings" affecting the Jena Band, Rossetti said.

Griles resigned in December as the department's deputy secretary.

Rossetti described an exchange in front of at least two witnesses in which he challenged Griles on "whose water he was carrying on this issue."

Abramoff and Scanlon were hired as lobbyists by the Louisiana Coushatta tribe to work against efforts by the rival Jena Band of Choctaws to open a casino that could compete with the Coushatta's gambling operation near Lake Charles, La.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is investigating Abramoff and Scanlon and the more than $80 million they were paid between 2001 and 2004 by six Indian tribes with casinos, in cluding the Coushattas.

Abramoff's lobbying work also is under investigation by the Justice Department. Abramoff has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida on charges of fraud and conspiracy stemming from his role in the 2000 purchase of a fleet of gambling boats.

Andrew Blum, a spokesman for Abramoff, said that because of the various investigations, the lobbyist "is put into the impossible position of not being able to defend himself in the public arena until the proper authorities have had a chance to review all accusations."

Blum also said the fees related to Abramoff's work "were more than justified given the cost savings and economic benefit realized by his clients."

Griles testified that his relationship with Abramoff was the same as with other lobbyists, senators or interest groups. "Nothing more, nothing less," he said.

But the committee chairman, Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican, and the top Democrat, Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, read e-mails in which Abramoff suggested a closer relationship with Griles.

"There are e-mails, e-mails, e- mails about Abramoff saying he's meeting with you," Dorgan said.

Griles suggested Abramoff could have made up the information.

"I can't reconcile what Mr. Abramoff put in e-mails, and today, based on what I heard, I don't believe anyone can," Griles said.

McCain also questioned Griles about his relationship with Italia Federici, president of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy.

The senator said Abramoff directed at least four of his tribal clients to give $250,000 to the group.




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