Tiguas getting restitution from Abramoff, Scanlon

EL PASO, Texas (AP) – A West Texas tribe has received about $200,000 in restitution from disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and consultant Michael Scanlon.

The El Paso Times reported Tuesday that the money is part of court-ordered repayment from millions of dollars scammed from the Tiguas nearly a decade ago.

The Tiguas, who employed lobbyists in their efforts to operate a casino, are owed about $1.85 million from Abramoff and Scanlon.

Abramoff in 2008 was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion. He was released in 2010.

Scanlon last year began serving a 20-month term for conspiring to bribe public officials.

Tribal Lt. Gov. Carlos Hisa said Monday that the payments so far total about $200,000.

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Information from: El Paso Times, http://www.elpasotimes.com