Tom Harkin Under Investigation

Harkin/Abramoff scandal

The Associated Press reported Friday, Dec. 2nd that Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is under investigation for corruption. The Des Moines Register has yet to report the incident:

The Justice Department is examining the proximity of donations to congressional action as part of its investigation of Abramoff's activities. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee, while investigating allegations that Abramoff cheated the tribes out of tens of millions of dollars, has steered clear of examining specific members of Congress.

The letters to the Interior Department and National Indian Gaming Commission between June and November 2003 came as Harkin's campaign and political action committee harvested donations from Smith* and Greenberg Traurig tribal clients.

Harkin twice used Abramoff's skybox for fundraisers — once in 2002 and again in 2003 — without reimbursing. He also collected $17,000 from Smith and other Abramoff-related sources in 2003. The Sac & Fox gave $4,000 more to Harkin in 2004, about six months after the federal government allowed the tribe's casino to reopen.

There is more to follow as to how Sen. Harkin's efforts hurt the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama.

*Michael D. Smith was a member of Jack Abramoff's tribal lobbying team at the Greenberg Traurig law firm

Thanks to Iowa Presidential Watch for this hot tip. As mentioned the Des Moines Register has yet to report it.