Great Falls Tribune -Rehberg turns back money

Checks distributing Abramoff, client funds are 'out the door'


HELENA (AP) ? U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg has relinquished $19,900 in campaign donations received from indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his clients, a spokesman for the Montana Republican said.

The $2,000 from Abramoff himself has been given to domestic violence centers on Montana's Fort Belknap and Fort Peck Indian reservations, spokesman Erik Iverson said Friday. Other donations were returned to the American Indian tribes that were Abramoff's clients, Iverson said. None of the tribes are in Montana.

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"It's all done," Iverson told the Lee Newspapers of Montana. "The checks are out the door."

Rehberg's announcement came a day after Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said he was returning $150,000 in Abramoff-related donations. The senator's possible actions on behalf of Abramoff clients are under examination.

Abramoff is at the center of an ongoing U.S. Justice Department investigation into lobbying practices. The investigation focuses on allegations that Abramoff cheated tribes out of millions of dollars for lobbying and directed them to make contributions to lawmakers and political groups.

Records show Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., received $6,000 from Abramoff's tribal clients in 2001 and 2002. Baucus will be "more than happy" to return money if an analysis by his staff finds anything questionable, spokesman Barrett Kaiser said, adding the senator has not met Abramoff nor worked with him.

Staff for the state Democratic and Republican parties went through records to look for donations from Abramoff or his clients.

Chuck Denowh, executive director of the Montana Republican Party, said none were found by Friday afternoon. "If we do have any, we'll return it," Denowh said.

Records show the Montana Democratic Party received $5,000 from an Abramoff tribal client in 2002. Party executive Jim Farrell said efforts to confirm the donation continued Friday.

There was no decision about returning money, Farrell said.

"First, I'm going to verify that we do have such money," he said.