Lou Sheldon

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Rev. Louis P. "Lou" Sheldon (born 1934 in Washington, D.C.) is an American Presbyterian pastor and Chairman of the social conservative organization, the Traditional Values Coalition. He is an opponent of homosexuality in general and the gay rights movement. He is also opposed to hate crime legislation.

[edit] Involvement with Jack Abramoff

Main article: Internet Gambling Prohibition Act

Sheldon worked with Jack Abramoff in lobbying against the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act in 1999 and 2000. ^[1]

Abramoff allegedly told his client, eLottery, to write checks to Sheldon's Traditional Values Coalition. Ralph Reed, former director of the Christian Coalition, was also allegedly involved. Although Reed and Sheldon were normally opposed to gambling and in favor of its prohibition, in this instance they were working against legislation which would restrict Internet gambling. Reed and Sheldon later claimed that they did not know that they were effectively doing this work on behalf of a gambling corporation.

Reverend Sheldon worked publicly to oppose the bill, holding numerous press conferences. On July 13, 2000, Sheldon met privately with DeLay. DeLay later announced his opposition to the bill. Abramoff also used Sheldon to target 10 Republican House members in vulnerable districts, using Sheldon to carry out a media campaign and Reed to carry out a direct-mail campaign accusing the members of being 'soft on gambling' if they supported the bill.

Due to the campaigns manufactured by Reed and Sheldon, the targeted members reported to DeLay's office that they were being pressured by constituents to vote against the bill.

On the conservative "Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan Program", Sheldon's modus operandi was likened to a "protection racket" ^[2]. It was alleged that Sheldon seeks payments from political groups in return for not opposing their position.