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Ralph Reed Sued by Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe
The Alabama-Coushatta on Wednesday launched a lawsuit against Reed and Abramoff, claiming their motives were a bit worldly. The suit alleges that blocking the Texas Indian casino actually served the interests of an Abramoff client, the Louisiana-Coushattas. That tribe has its own wagering temples in the Bayou State.
Reed, a vocal opponent of casinos, reportedly had worked with Abramoff to block the development of gambling palaces in Texas. The baby-faced politico's crusade led to the shuttering of an Indian casino run by the Lone Star State's Alabama-Coushatta tribe.
Politics is another matter. A merchant of influence like Jack Abramoff can overnight go from incognito lobbyist to pleading guilty to criminal charges. And a "family values" activist like Ralph Reed can suddenly find himself allegedly linked to the less-than-heavenly business of one-armed bandits, roulette wheels and craps.
Reed is now running for lieutenant governor of Georgia and has reportedly separated himself from Abramoff activities. A Reed spokeswoman in a statement said the lawsuit was without merit.
Published reports quote the suit as declaring, "Had the Alabama-Coushatta tribe or the public been aware that the Louisiana-Coushatta tribe was behind the efforts, the Christians would have been less mobilized and the opposition efforts less effective."