Okla. Congressman Donating Abramoff Money - Yahoo! News

By TIM TALLEY, Associated Press Writer


Republican Rep. Ernest Istook (news, bio, voting record) of Oklahoma is the latest congressman giving away campaign donations from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is at the center of a federal corruption investigation.

Istook, a Republican running for governor, described Abramoff as a "minor donor" to his congressional campaign.

"I was not involved in any of his dealings and I certainly have done nothing wrong," Istook told The Associated Press.

Abramoff represented Indian tribes that rolled millions of dollars in casino income into congressional campaigns over a five-year period, according to authorities. The Justice Department is investigating whether trips, gifts and campaign donations arranged by Abramoff were in exchange for official acts by Congress members and whether the tribes were defrauded.

Istook said he would donate a $1,000 campaign donation from Abramoff to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Indian health research. A $5,000 donation to a political action committee Istook was involved with will also be given to the OMRF, he said.

Istook said the donations were made a year or more after he signed a letter opposing a Louisiana casino that threatened to undercut the tribes' business.

"I signed the letter as part of my long-standing opposition to the spread of gambling, and for no other reason," Istook said.

Istook, a congressman since 1992, was among 33 lawmakers who wrote letters urging the Bush administration to reject the casino and who received political money from rival tribes, Abramoff and his associates, according to an Associated Press review of campaign reports, IRS records and congressional correspondence.

Campaign finance disclosure reports indicate that, in addition to Abramoff's contributions, Abramoff associates gave $23,000 to Istook between 2001 and 2004.