April 26, 2007
Alabama-Coushatta settle with Abramoff

With Jack Abramoff back in the news, here's one more item to file away.


The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Livingston has settled a lawsuit with the former employer of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff for an undisclosed amount of money.

The lawsuit was settled with the law firm of Greenberg Traurig, whom Abramoff worked for while representing Indian tribes on casino issues before Congress. The settlement ends the case against Abramoff and two other Greenberg Traurig employees.

The tribe dropped its complaint against media consultant Michael Scanlon, who had been the press secretary for former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, before going to work with Abramoff. It also dropped a complaint against Ralph Reed.

"We are satisfied with the settlement, and we are pleased to have the Abramoff matter resolved," said tribal Chairwoman Jo Ann Battise. "We are now focused on restoring our right to game so that we may create employment and business opportunities for us and our neighbors."


The lawsuit in question was filed last July, which strikes me as a fairly short interval from there to resolution. Whatever the case, I'm glad the Alabama-Coushatta were able to collect something for their troubles.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on April 26, 2007 to Scandalized!
Comments

I'm not surprised the settlement happened that quickly. After all, there was more than enough documentary evidence to show Abramoff was secretly working against the interests of his clients in Texas on behalf of his clients in Louisiana. This sort of behavior is, for instance, a definite no-no under Rule 1.06(b) of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. I'd guess that the Alabama-Coushatta had more than enough evidence to show malpractice by Abramoff. The real question would just have been "How much?"

Posted by: Kenneth Fair on April 26, 2007 8:06 AM