WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A former spokesman for U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, was charged Friday with conspiring to defraud Indian tribes of millions of dollars.
Michael Scanlon, described by the New York Times as a business associate of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, was charged in connection with an alleged scheme that included at least one member of Congress. A court document in Washington said Scanlon sought to "corruptly offer and provide things of value, including money, meals, trips and entertainment to federal public officials" in exchange for help with legislation and other favors, the newspaper said.
The court papers mention a member of Congress -- not by name, but as "representative #1" -- as the chief recipient of gifts from Scanlon and Abramoff. Rep. Rob Ney, R-Ohio. Ney -- who was recently subpoenaed in connection with the investigation -- has said he was tricked into doing favors for Scanlon and Abramoff, the Times reported.
Brian Walsh, a spokesman for Ney, said Ney would cooperate fully with investigators.
"He has not been told that he is the target of any investigation and there would be no grounds to do so," said in a statement.
A federal grand jury indicted Abramoff in August on wire fraud and conspiracy charges.
