Lobby Firm Disbands Because of Investigation

[Robbien]

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, June 17, 2006; Page A03

The Washington lobbying firm enmeshed in a federal investigation of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is breaking up because of publicity surrounding the probe, the company said yesterday.

The firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White, has been a major player on K Street, particularly in winning narrow appropriations, known as earmarks, for military contractors, municipalities and others. Federal investigators last month subpoenaed many of the firm's clients to learn more about the relationship between Lewis and former representative Bill Lowery (R-Calif.), a partner in the firm since 1993 who is a friend and financial supporter of his.

<snip>

Copeland Lowery is the second lobbying firm this year to become a casualty of congressional scandals. In January, Alexander Strategy Group, which was closely tied to former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, went out of business because of publicity about its involvement in the Abramoff investigations. The firm was owned by Edwin A. Buckham, DeLay's former chief of staff.

"Given the current media focus on the firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White has made a strategic and mutually-agreed upon decision to separate its partnership into two groups," the company said in a written statement. "Partners Bill Lowery, Jean Denton, and Letitia White will continue to lead the existing full service consulting firm, while partners James M. Copeland and Lynn Jacquez will form a separate partnership."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/16/AR2006061601625.html

Close down the exposed corrupt firm and reopen with a brand new clean name. And boldly say so to the press.

[Mnemosyne]

1. K and R n/t

[UpInArms]

2. the names are changed to obscure the guilty corrupt practices

and the beat goes on.

:mad:

[salin]

3. I get the sense that folks are hunkering down - and expecting

the scrutiny to blow over (as in slightly lower profile but keep doing business as usual.)

[sofa king]

5. Yep, they don't even fear exposure any more.

Now that Rove's walked, it's obvious that there are too many nets to catch the GOP thief on his way down.

The next step, I think, will be when these criminals get impatient of waiting for approval from on high and just start doing whatever they wish, whenever they like. They'll start thinking that it's the duty of certain criminals to protect the welfare of other criminals. Historically, that's usually worked out to a hilariously bloody conclusion. No honor among thieves and such.

There are parts of history which with the benefit of hindsight can be considered "hilariously bloody." Unfortunately, no event in the present can be considered as such. We're going to get a dose of black humor without the laughs.

[WhiteTara]

6. I thought they were already doing what they wanted

if they are holding back, I am really scared.

[annabanana]

4. Check out the lobbyist ads on this thread!

Interesting, isn't it?

[Blaze Diem]

7. Very scary, and more telling as to what make our

political system go 'round.

Pathetic..sad.

[formercia]

9. The posts are beng scanned for key words

It can be used to advantage with a bit of thought.:evilgrin:

[rucky]

8. Their new slogan:

"Same shit, brand new smell."

[krkaufman]

10. Big deal. Unless the criminal lobbyists are put in prison...

... they'll just form-up under another name in a few months, and be right back at it.

[jazzjunkysue]

11. I'll bring my violin to the funeral.

:nopity:

[Sadie5]

12. After November

I'm hoping like heck that the investigations will pick up and will give these crooks who have screwed the US citizens their rightful due. They will all be so fashionable in orange jumpsuits.

[jazzjunkysue]

14. Here's hopin'

[drm604]

13. List of Copeland Lowery's lobbying clients.

http://clerk.house.gov/pd/houseID.html?reg_id=31822

Notice "ADCS, Inc." second from the top. This was one of Brent Wilkes' firms. Another of Wilkes' firms, "Group W Advisors, Inc." was represented by "Alexander Strategy Group". The Washington Post article mentions Alexander in an aside but doesn't point out the connection. Sometimes I think it's all connected to one relatively small clique that is robbing our treasury blind.