Sen. John McCain, center, talks with Native Americans outside last year's hearings.
Sen. McCain to Reconvene Indian Gaming Hearings Wednesday in Washington
New Consultant for Saginaw Chippewa Tribe Recommends Political Donations
October 18, 2005
By: Dave Rogers
U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, will reconvene hearings Wednesday in Washington in his continuing effort to control corruption in Indian gaming.
Sen. McCain, a prominent candidate for his party's nomination for President and chairman of the Senate subcommittee on Indian gaming, last fall held hearings that spotlighted the Saginaw Chippewa tribe and their Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant.
Casino gambling, a bonanza for Native American tribes nationwide since 1988, is underassault from several directions: 1-The Federal Government; 2-Some citizens; 3-Some Indian leaders; 4-Some media outlets.
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Despite an alleged $14 million ripoff by a lobbyist now under federal indictment, the Saginaw Chippewa tribe appears to be heading for more political entanglement, media reports in recent weeks have charged.
The tribe has hired another lobbyist, Aurene Martin, a former official of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), to develop new strategies.
Ms. Martin's memo to tribal leaders suggesting campaign contributions of about $300,000 to political parties and Members of Congress, made national news Oct. 12. It was published in The Hill, a Washington, D.C. newspaper covering Congress, as well as a website run by a group of Chippewa tribal members.
Purpose of the spending on lobbying has been the subject of intense media scrutiny. Various news outlets have alleged that the tribes hire lobbyists and give political contributions to keep down competition. Ms. Martin's memo reportedly also gave the indication that quelling competition from other tribes was a main goal of the lobbying efforts.
The Hill quoted Larry Noble executive director of the nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group Center for Responsive Politics, noting the ethics questions raised by such donations. Noble said:
"You see how close to a quid pro quo (payoff for favorable legislation) these things come. There really is a connection in the mind of givers between their contributions and wanting something . . . There is a fine line between campaign contributions and bribes."
The local tribe allegedly was among native casinos bilked of vast sums by Jack Abramoff, Washington lobbyist who is under indictment for various fraudulent schemes. Abramoff has ties to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) who is also under indictment in Texas for campaign fund irregularities and money laundering.
The Mid-Michigan tribe's woes are only a small part of the turmoil in the gaming "industry" nationally, according to experts.
Gaming analyst Dr. Alan P. Meister, of the Analysis Group, Los Angeles, California, told news media recently that Indian gaming is threatened by increased competition and challenges from the Internal Revenue Service of its use of tax-exempt bonds for casino construction.
Sen. McCain, one of 74 Members of Congress on the suggested donation list of Ms. Martin, has scheduled the fourth hearing on the tribal lobbying scandal next Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Washington. McCain vows to stop exploitation of tribes.
Meanwhile, back in Mt. Pleasant, the tribe has more mundane concerns. Like an election Nov. 8 for the tribal council.
Candidates include: District 1-Timothy Davis, Chief Audrey Falcon, Sub-Chief Bernard Sprague, Secretary Ruth Moses, Treasurer Charmaine Benz, Federico Cantu Jr., Brent Jackson, Diana Quigno-Grundahl, Michael Floyd Sr., Delmar Jackson Sr., Jeanette Leaureaux, Darryl Clifford Jackson, Milton Pelcher, Lorna Call, Adelaide Davis, Maynard Kahgegab, Delores Jackson, Raymond Davis, Lindy Hunt and Josephine Jackson.
District 3 candidates include Michele Stanley, Frank Cloutier, Bonnie Ekdahl, Greg Falsetta and Damian Fisher. One District 3 (Saganing) candidate, Ronald Nelson, also is on the ballot.###