According to a report in today's Asheville Citizen Times, more than $58,000 worth of contributions to the Eastern Band of the Cherokees do not show up on recent financial reports to the state. That amounts to more than one-third of the total monies acquired by the tribe since 2005.
Citizen-Times Writer, Jordan Schrader, says that the Cherokees are now an important player in North Carolina politics.
Most of the money went to the North Carolina Democratic Party, though a smaller sum also went to the NC GOP. The tribe’s disclosures don’t show contributions to either.
Asheville City Council member and congressional candidate Carl Mumpower argues that the Cherokees have become a "corrupt special interest."
Mumpower contends that “Recent unreported campaign contributions to politicians highlight a continuing effort to maintain an unlevel playing field in Cherokee.”
“The tribe draws dramatic government funds and benefits while they simultaneously reap the dubious handouts of a tribal gambling enterprise.”
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