BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff writes in his new book that he spent $20 million from the Choctaw Indians in Mississippi to defeat gambling expansion in Alabama because it would compete with the Choctaws' casinos.
Abramoff devotes four pages to Alabama in his book "Capitol Punishment." He says he funneled the money from the Choctaw tribe through non-profit groups over a five-year period to oppose Gov. Don Siegelman's lottery plan, Milton McGregor's plans to add gambling machines at VictoryLand, and plans by the Poarch Creek Indians to expand their gambling offerings in Alabama.
The Birmingham News reports that Abramoff does not give details of where the money went. But he said it was important to hide the source of the money from religious groups working against gambling expansion.
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