 |
|
Blog
|
|
Welcome to the Holtzman Vogel Law Blog. We aim to keep you
up to date on important legal developments and other items of interest. On this
blog, we'll track developments in the news and changes to the rules and regulations
affecting political committees, corporate PACs, trade associations, non-profit groups
and advocacy organizations. We'll also keep you updated on the lobbying and ethics
arena. The Law Blog is designed to supplement our regular newsletter.
On behalf of the Holtzman Vogel team, I hope you find this site helpful and interesting.
And we hope you'll become a regular visitor. (If you'd like to receive our newsletter,
please click here to sign up.)
Jill Holtzman Vogel
|
Thursday, August 27, 2009
USA Today on Pay-to-Play: Do campaign contributions help win pension fund deals?
USA Today reports on so-called "pay-to-play" practices in this article. From USA Today: "More than two dozen firms that have surfaced in a broad corruption investigation of public pension funds gave at least $1.97 million in campaign contributions to officials with potential influence over the funds' investments, a USA TODAY analysis shows. . . . The analysis of donations since 1998 showed the money flowed in 30 states to incumbents and candidates for governor, treasurer and other posts that influence billions of dollars in pension fund awards. Several of the firms won pension investment work after they, their executives or hired intermediaries gave contributions. The awards generate lucrative fees and lend prestige that could help lure new clients. Several states are investigating the awards after charges last spring in New York that a former pension fund official, a political adviser and others got millions of dollars for influencing investments by the state's pension fund. The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed parallel civil charges."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
AP: Gov. Richardson pay-to-play investigation dropped
The AP reports " New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former high-ranking members of his administration won't be criminally charged in a year-long federal investigation into pay-to-play allegations involving one of the Democratic governor's large political donors, someone familiar with the case said. The decision not to pursue indictments was made by top Justice Department officials, according to a person familiar with the investigation, who asked not to be identified because federal officials had not disclosed results of the probe. 'It's over. There's nothing. It was killed in Washington,' the person told The Associated Press."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
AP on Pay-to-Play in New Mexico
AP reports "Money managers, brokers and their marketing agents that secured public investment business in New Mexico in recent years have given more than $640,000 to Gov. Bill Richardson's campaigns and political organizations since he first ran for governor in 2002, an Associated Press analysis shows."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Philadelphia Inquirer: N.J. pay-to-play limits chafe on some
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports "A sweeping pay-to-play ban that curtails the ability of candidates to raise money - effectively handing an advantage to wealthy politicians who can fund their campaigns - will be tested for the first time in this year's governor's race. . . . [Former Gov.] McGreevey's executive order banned the state from awarding contracts of more than $17,500 to companies in which high-ranking officials contributed more than $300 to a gubernatorial candidate or state or county party organization. . . . In November, [Gov.] Corzine significantly increased the number of people who would be discouraged from giving more than $300 to gubernatorial candidates. McGreevey's order covered contributors who controlled 10 percent or more of companies getting state contracts. Corzine included any partner, officer, or principal of a vendor firm, further limiting the number of people who would be willing to contribute to gubernatorial campaigns. Because Corzine is funding his own campaign, he won't have to worry much about that law. But independent candidate Chris Daggett and the survivor of the increasingly heated Republican primary will."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Wall Street Journal editorial: The State Lawsuit Racket; A case study in the politician-trial lawyer partnership.
This Wall Street Journal editorial explores an interesting twist on traditional pay-to-play activities. A pending case in Pennsylvania involves a Houston law firm hired by the state, on a contingency fee basis, to litigate a case against a pharmaceutical company. The law firm's founding partner made substantial contributions to Gov. Rendell's 2006 campaign committee.
Click here to read the entire post.
|
 |