OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that 
literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?
Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.
You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with this kind of conflict, assuming he knew. Of course he knows now…
It is all made more problematic because one of the principals at this lobbying firm is former Congressman Bill Lowery, who is like best friends with Lewis.
I’m not saying that anything illegal has or is taking place here, although I think the Feds will give Lewis and company a probe-ectomy and sniff that out. But clearly, if nothing else, there is a significant breach of common sense. This looks awful. I’m not sure of all of the ramifications of this, but the fact that this lobbyist with immutable conflicts is STILL working for Lewis tells me that we have a problem.
There are a ton of stories on this on the main page of the FlashReport today.
Anyways, I will cut today’s commentary a little short – but look for more on the weblog page!
Have a great day!
Jon
P.S. Don’t miss Ron Nehring’s column today on the main page!
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