At the Committee's November 17, 2004, hearing, [Tigua representative Marc] Schwartz testified, "As the election reform measure languished throughout the summer, Abramoff and Scanlon continued to report on substantial progress and a virtual guarantee of success. During that time, I requested a meeting between tribal representatives and Congressman Ney." Abramoff set up the meeting for early August 2002.
According to Schwartz, Abramoff claimed that "Congressman Ney did not want his trip to Scotland brought up, as he would show his appreciation for the Tribe later." On August 14, 2002, representatives of the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta met with Congressman Ney in Washington, D.C. Both Schwartz and [Tigua Lt. Governor Carlos] Hisa recalled that the meeting lasted approximately one-and-a-half hours. In testimony before the Committee, Schwartz described Congressman Ney as "extremely animated about Mr. Abramoff and his ability as a representative lobbyist in the city." According to Schwartz, Congressman Ney spoke about his district, the Tigua's plight, the political ramifications for Republicans of the Tigua casino closing, and the federal legislative process, especially the process by which committee reports are done.
During his interview with Committee staff, Congressman Ney said he was not familiar with the Tigua. He could not recall ever meeting with any member of the Tigua. When asked about a possible two-hour meeting, Congressman Ney said he "wouldn't even meet with the President for two hours." After the interview, counsel to Congressman Ney, who was present during the interview, indicated that, according to an internal email describing Congressman Ney's calendar for the relevant period, a meeting was scheduled in Congressman Ney's office with the "Taqua," from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.