WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative George Miller (D-CA) today called for a thorough congressional investigation of possible improper or illegal activities involving powerful Washington, D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his representation of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

In a detailed letter sent today to Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA), chairman of the House Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over all U.S. territories, Miller wrote that recent press revelations “have highlighted the past involvement of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others in behavior that warrants investigation by the Resources Committee. These allegations include the overpayment for lobbying services, interference in territorial elections, interference in contract procurement, and the questionable payment of overseas trips for Members of Congress and staff – all during the period Mr. Abramoff represented the Marianas government and interests in the territory.”

For more than a decade, Miller has sought to end widely documented abuses of tens of thousands of foreign guest workers in the CNMI including charges of indentured servitude, underpayment of wages, and forcing women into the sex trade. Miller has repeatedly introduced legislation to strengthen U.S. immigration and labor laws governing the islands. While the United States Senate approved some of the reforms Miller sought several years ago, the House has regularly thwarted those efforts.

Detailed investigations by news organizations, Congress, the executive branch, and private organizations reveal a close link between the lobbyist’s efforts to stop those reforms and his activities involving key congressional players. Miller noted that while Abramoff is the subject of Senate inquiries over allegations involving his representation of several Native American tribes, he is not aware of any congressional investigation regarding Abramoff’s activities regarding the Marianas.

“I believe there is more then enough initial evidence to warrant a thorough and bipartisan investigation of Mr. Abramoff and potential congressional wrongdoing in the territories,” Miller wrote. “Failure to pursue this investigation will not only add to the history of congressional neglect of matters of grave concern and importance but would be a serious abdication of this Committee’s responsibility to oversee a critical area of its jurisdiction.”

For a copy of Miller’s letter in PDF format, go to http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/cnmiletter.pdf. (pdf file)