Abramoff Pleads Guilty

[Lady_Luck]

Off-reservation gambling figured in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Abramoff has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, tax evasion and other charges in what officials said was a conspiracy to corrupt public officials.

On behalf of tribal clients including the casino-operating Louisiana Coushattas and Mississippi Choctaw, Abramoff helped corral opposition from top lawmakers to a proposal by the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana to build a competing, off-reservation casino.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee in March approved a bill by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to crack down on off-reservation casinos. It has been stalled by opposition from several senators, in some cases because tribes in their states don't like it.