We already know that Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon were using their lobbying operation to funnel cash from wealthy Indian tribes to coffers all over the Republican party.  But it now appears that President Bush lent his image to the operation.

On August 12, 2002, Abramoff emailed Chris Petras, the Legislative Director of the Saginaw Chippewas to tell him that, during the previous year, Grover Norquist had put together a "small meeting for photos" with the President, select Tribal leaders and the Speakers of several state houses. The tribes paid for the event - $50,000 each sent to Norquist. Abramoff writes that the Mississippi Choctaws, the Coushatta and Agua Calientes will probably participate and asks Petras if the Chippewas will do it.

Petras writes back saying "with regard to ATR [Americans for Tax Reform]" to let him know the amount and he will take it to the tribal council.

Later, in a letter to the Chippewas dated November 1, Americans for Tax Reform "respectfully request a contribution of $25,000 to fund organization activities that advocate tribal sovereignty and unwarranted federal of taxation of tribal revenues."  (The same letter includes appeals to send $25,000 to the NRCC and $25,000 to Capital Athletic Foundation.)

At a September 29, 2004 hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) asked Petras if he had ever had his picture taken with key White House staff.

"I don't know about key staff," said Petras. "We had our photo taken with the President."