The New York Times Jan 22, 2012
“Lobbyist Helps a Project He Financed in Congress”
Soon after retired last year as one of the leading liberals in Congress former Rep William D. Delahunt of Massachusetts stated his own lobbying firm with an office on the 16th floor of a Boston skyscraper. His first client was a small coastal town that has agreed to pay him $15,00 a month for help in developing a wind energy project.
While in Congress, he personally earmarked $1.7 million for the same energy project. Today his firm, the Delahunt Group, stands to collect $90,000 from the town of Hull in Massachusetts Bay which 80% of it coming from the pot of money he created through a pair of Energy Dept. grants his final term in office.
Beyond the town of Hull, Mr. Delahunt’s client include at least three others who received millions of dollars in federal aid with his direct assistance while he was in Congress .
Mr. Delahunt declined the request for an interview, however sent a statement. “I want to be clear – I have no federal lobbying relationship with any past or current client. I have not lobbied anyone in Washington since leaving Congress. Further, while in Congress, I had no conversation with anybody regarding any future consulting contract.”
Federal law prohibits former congressmen from lobbying some ex-colleagues for one year after leaving office.
Phillip E. Lemnios, Hull town manager said the town now hopes to get $60 million or more in federal , states and private funds for four offshore wind turbines.
Another client, the Mashpee WQampagnoag tribe paid the Delahunt Group at least $40,000 to lobby for approval of a casino. Delahunt has secured Congressional earmarks for the tribe totaling $400,000 in 2008 and 2009 for a substance abuse program and other projects.
Last year, the city of Quincy, Mass. Brought on MR. Delahunt to help deal with the federal officials on a downtown redevelopment program. In 2008, Delahunt secured nearly $2.4 million in earmarks for the city on a separate tidal restoration project.
Common Sense Review
It is encouraging to see Representatives who write the laws follow the laws. I like how he wants to be clear as he glosses over the facts.
Municipality projects are not planned and created over night… I have a hard time believing that Delahunt , hadn’t heard or discussed the project with Hull city official prior to inserting the earmark. Delahunt states he has not lobbied anyone in Washington since leaving Congress, but your telling me you haven’t had a conversation with any reps. The difference in lobbying and a conversation is the intent… Which is hard to prove…
This is the best example of zero earmarks…
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