Reed Confirms Fees From Indian Casino Lobbyists

[cal04]

Ralph Reed, Southeast regional chairman of the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign and former executive director of the Christian Coalition, confirmed on Sunday that he accepted more than $1 million in fees from a lobbyist and a public relations specialist whose work on behalf of American Indian casinos prompted a federal investigation.

In addition to his role running the campaign in the Southeast, Reed is a liaison to the Christian evangelical community, and many of its leaders are adamantly opposed to gambling. Reed has been widely credited with leading the political mobilization of the Christian right since the late 1980s. In a statement, Ralph Reed said: "I have worked for decades to oppose the expansion of casino gambling." (Linda Spillers -- AP)


Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and public relations executive Michael Scanlon -- the two men who paid the fees to Reed -- are subjects of a wide-ranging federal probe with political ramifications in Congress and within the Republican Party. The inquiry involves at least $45 million in lobbying and public relations fees, alleged misuse of Indian tribal funds, possible illegal campaign contributions and possible tax code violations.

Federal officials have assembled a criminal task force from the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Justice Department's public integrity section, the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Interior Department inspector general's office, according to officials familiar with the investigation. The task force is looking into payments that Abramoff and Scanlon received from an array of clients, including 11 wealthy Indian tribes that operate gambling casinos.
Task force investigators have subpoenaed records at Reed's firm, Century Strategies, along with records of many other subcontractors for Abramoff and Scanlon, according to sources familiar with aspects of the inquiry.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45348-2004Aug29.html

[MO_Dem]

1. Their hypocrisy is

getting soooo tiresome!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. Gee, another hypocritical right winger!

:puke:

[Isere]

3. I am shocked! Shocked!

Christian leaders promoting gambling? Heavens to Betsy!
WWJB? What Would Jesus Bet?

[hatrack]

16. Actually, it's HMWJB!

How Much Would Jesus Bet! ;-)

[MidwestTransplant]

4. He was just trying to help out Bill Bennett

[Octafish]

5. Greasy Ralph Reed worked for ENRON, too.

When he's not being holier-than-thou, the oily turd of the BFEE Reed likes to hang around with the money changers -- just like his mental mentor Pat "Pass The Loot" Robertson, the Korean War Chicken. May they all enjoy the fruits of their labor, say in Sing-Sing.

[yardwork]

6. Oh what a pity

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Ralph Reed is a real puke and he sullies my part of the country. Take off, Ralph.

[movonne]

7. Now lets hope some kind of shit falls on Pat Roberson and Jerry

Fartwell. I cannot stand these so called Christian creeps that have millions upon millions of dollars and take it from these mostly poor elder people that are caught up in their scams.

[Prodemsouth]

9. No all the shit needs to fall on Reed- Let him take it- he is one we

need to get. Robertson and Falwell - even in the south are considered jokes. Reed is a very effective snake for the GOP. Lets hope he is distracted or better still this puts him out of commission. He is right up there with Rove in his abilities.

[0007]

12. Like the IRS busting both Falwel and Roberson.

[Nambe]

8. Doo Doo Wah Wah! Florida and the Christian Coalition.

What to do. Ken Lay and now Reed want quick convitions so they can be pardoned if bush loses. Lay didn't get his quicky but Reed is in Florida with jeb to run his case through. What to Doo Doo Wah Wah.

[farmbo]

10. He only took the $$$ so he could convert them to Christ

He was inspiring them to build the First Baptist Church of the One Armed Bandits.

[0007]

14. So that slot degenerate William Bennett can come all over 'em

[DeepModem Mom]

11. kick

[takumi]

13. BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another 'Christian' hypocrite . . . .busted!

[David Zephyr]

15. Kick.

Ralph Reed: the face of hate.