Video: Gregoire defends her role in tribal gambling

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SEATTLE - Washington governor Christine Gregoire Tuesday angrily defended her role in a tribal gambling agreement.

Headlines in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer allege a tribal gambling agreement led to campaign contributions for her.

Republican lawmakers want to know: Did Washington tribes promise campaign support in exchange for dropping the state's share of gambling revenue - up to $140 million?

"I'm offended. I'm offended. I've been Attorney General for three terms," Gregoire said. "I have a record of the highest public integrity."

Republicans demand an investigation.

"The deal is really smelly," said Luke Esser, state republican chair. "It's fishy. It really needs to be investigated on a bipartisan basis and get to the bottom of what really happened."

NWCN

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire

The P-I reports Gregoire is benefiting from more than $650,000 in campaign contributions from Indian tribes, but Gregoire contests the claim.

"The amount of money that has come to my campaign from the tribes after I've been able to raise about $6 million is less than $40,000," she said.

Gregoire insists she acted under the law and with legislative oversight.

On backing away from the state sharing tribal gambling revenue, Gregoire said she was advised by Democrats and Republicans alike not to let Washington residents "get addicted to gambling."

The Governor's staff brands this flap as suspicious and political.

"The timing of the contributions to the governor from the state party right after they get money from the tribe is what's suspicious," said Randy Pepple, republican strategist.

Gregoire has her own name for what's behind it all.

"It's pure raw politics; it's the beginning of a very ugly campaign," she said.