New details have emerged from the investigation into the activities of indicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. According to a Senate report released last week, a group headed by prominent right-wing activist Grover Norquist was one of several tax-exempt organizations that funneled money on Abramoff’s behalf. The groups — including Norquist’s Americans for Tax for Reform (ATR) received a cut in return. The funneled money was used to support a series of lobbying efforts. At least $4 million was delivered to campaigns waged by Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed. Reed is currently running for Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor. In one e-mail, Abramoff told a colleague that Norquist would be willing to fight a tax proposal if the client would become “a major player” with Norquist’s ATR. Abramoff wrote: “What is most important however is that this matter is kept discreet. We do not want the opponents to think that we are trying to buy the taxpayer movement.”
E-Mails Link Reed, Norquist To Abramoff Scheme
HeadlineJun 26, 2006