Newsday.com: Several NJ lawmakers keeping money given by Abramoff tribes

By DONNA DE LA CRUZ
Associated Press Writer

January 5, 2006, 4:57 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- The New Jersey lawmakers who received campaign contributions directly from Jack Abramoff have either returned or donated that money. However, a handful who received money from Indian tribes that hired the lobbyist are keeping the funds given to them from the tribes, saying they did nothing improper by accepting it.

Abramoff pleaded guilty Tuesday to fraud, corruption and tax evasion charges in Washington. The lobbyist pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Miami to fraud charges stemming from his purchases of a Florida gambling boat fleet called SunCruz.

The plea agreement was part of a deal with federal prosecutors to cooperate in a probe that could involve up to 20 members of Congress and aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Long Branch, received $13,600 from three Indian tribes _ the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the Saginaw Chippewa Indians _ during the 2000 through 2006 election cycles.

Matthew Montekio, Pallone's campaign manager, said Thursday that the congressman "has a long-standing direct relationship with these Indian tribes through his work on Indian health care and environmental issues," and would be keeping the money.

"He does not know Jack Abramoff, nor has he received any contributions from Abramoff," Montekio added.

Rep. Robert Menendez, D-Hoboken, received $1,000 apiece in 2004 from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribe, according to federal campaign records. Menendez spokesman Matt Miller said the donations were made during a fundraiser and nobody in the congressman's office has had any dealings with Abramoff. Miller said Menendez is keeping the money.

Sen. Jon Corzine's New Jersey United, Leadership Political Action Committee received $1,000 from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in 2004, and $4,000 from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribe in 2004. Corzine spokesman Anthony Coley said the governor-elect would be keeping the money since he does not know Abramoff.

"Abramoff, his wife or his firm had nothing to do with these two contributions from tribes that were swindled by this corrupt, power-hungry lobbyist," Coley said.

Rep. Scott Garrett, R-Wantage, received $1,000 in 2002 from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and is not returning it, said Garrett's chief of staff, Michelle Presson. Garrett has never had any dealings with Abramoff, Presson added.

Meanwhile, Reps. Jim Saxton, R-Mount Holly; Mike Ferguson, R-Warren; and Frank LoBiondo, R-Vineland, all received campaign contributions directly from Abramoff and have returned that money, their offices said.

Saxton received $1,000 from Abramoff in 2003 and returned it in 2004 when the lobbyist was first being investigated for wrongdoing, said Saxton spokesman Pete McDonough. Saxton has also returned $6,000 he received from the Mississippi Choctaw and Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indian tribes, McDonough said. Saxton returned $5,000 of the tribes' donations in early 2005 and the remaining $1,000 on Thursday.

Last August, Ferguson donated the $1,000 contribution received in 2001 from Abramoff to the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation in Mountainside, said his spokeswoman Abby Bird. In December, Ferguson donated the $1,000 contribution received from SunCruz in 2002 to the Center For Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, Bird said.

Also last August, LoBiondo returned a $1,000 campaign contribution received in 2001 from Abramoff, said spokesman Jason Galanes.


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