(AP) Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed says he regrets funding an antigambling campaign with money from indicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff's casino-owning clients.

Reed's ties to the lobbyist have become campaign fodder as he runs for lieutenant governor. Reed also angered religious groups when it was revealed that his work was funded by tribes that were trying to stifle would-be competitors.

In a speech posted on Reed's campaign Web site this week, he said a lot of good came of his antigambling efforts. "Nevertheless, had I known then what I know now, I would not have undertaken that work," he said.

Campaign manager Jared Thomas said Reed made the speech Dec. 9 before a Christian youth group in Alpharetta.

Reed did not mention Abramoff by name, but said the efforts "associated my long-standing opposition to gambling with those who did not share it and has caused difficulty for the faith community with whom I worked, which I deeply regret."

Reed has not been accused of a crime. Abramoff is at the center of a federal probe that has entangled at least a half dozen lawmakers and Bush administration officials.

The U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee has been investigating Abramoff on suspicion of defrauding his Indian tribe clients of millions of dollars and using improper influence on members of Congress.

Abramoff has pleaded innocent to federal conspiracy and fraud charges in a case where he is accused of concocting a fake $23 million wire transfer to encourage lenders to help finance the purchase of a fleet of Florida gambling boats. A business partner pleaded guilty in the case Thursday.

In his speech, Reed said that although he knew the law firm that hired him to oppose gambling expansion efforts "had tribal clients who had their own reasons for opposing new casinos," he had been assured the money had not come from casino profits.

Two of Reed's rivals in the Georgia lieutenant governor race, Republican Casey Cagle and Democrat Greg Hecht, have already established Web sites focusing on Reed's ties to Abramoff.

Reed's expression of regret isn't enough, a spokesman for Cagle told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"If Ralph is serious about accepting responsibility for his choices, then he'll return the multimillion dollar fee he secretly received from the gambling industry," Brad Alexander said.

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