Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Billy Long's FEC report disguises lobbyist contributions

Following a pattern established in previous financial disclosure reports, the Billy Long for Congress Committee continued to have problems recognizing lobbyists in its latest report.

In the report. filed July 14 with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Long received at least $10,250 in contributions from 11 lobbyists. Not one of them was labeled as a lobbyist, while only three were listed as "governmental affairs," the euphemism that is commonly used because the word lobbyist is not too popular with constituents these days.

On four of the lobbyists, the Long committee simply put "info requested" indicating it did not know who these people are.

It only took the Turner Report five to 10 seconds to find out who they were.

-Jeffrey Kimbell, who contributed $3,000 is the head of Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, a lobbying firm that represents healthcare interests.

-Mitchell Vakerics, a $250 contributor, lobbies for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries and was the former legislative director for Congressmen from North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He works for the Prime Policy Group.

-David Farber, who gave $500, works for the lobbying firm of King & Spalding. He counts the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and Multicare Health Systems among his clients.

-John David, a $1,000 contributor, is listed as EVP (executive vice president), followed by "info requested. It certainly couldn't have been too difficult to find David is the executive vice president of the National Association for Broadcasters (NAB), the lobbying group that represents the broadcasting industry.

Some lobbyists were listed with the company they represent, including the following:

-Lance Beshore, vice president, who has lobbied for Leggett & Platt for years, contributed $2,500.

-Alex Delpizzo, a $500 contributor, is listed as working as a consultant for Thorn Run Partners, which is a lobbying firm that specializes in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

-Kelly Childress, a consultant for East End Group, which lobbies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, gave $250.

-Ryan Long, listed as "BGR Government Affairs/Consultant," contributed $500. BGR is a lobbying firm that represents healthcare clients.

-Edward Fritts, a $1,000 contributor, is listed as The Fritts Group CEO. Fritts was the CEO of the broadcasting industry's lobbying group, NAB, for 23 years. His firm also represents clients in the industry.

-Gary Kline, listed as "Express Scripts, governmental affairs," contributed $250.

One lobbyist was listed only by her job, with no mention of her employer.

-Heather Strawn, who gave $500, is only listed as "senior director, governmental affairs," without telling who she is working for as the senior director, government affairs. The firm she works for is Abbvie, which represents clients in the pharmaceutical industry.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is Ryan Long any relation?

Anonymous said...

As fat as he is he's going to need good health care.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Billy, Mr. Billy let me line your palm with money because I need some favors and honey.

Anonymous said...

And here I thought the medical industry was in crisis over Obama care!! Got plenty of money for Ole chubby!!!

Anonymous said...

John David used to be from Joplin and was head of a radio station here. I think it was KFSB.

Anonymous said...

I don't like facial jewelry as a rule, but I think Billy would look good with one of those nose rings.

Anonymous said...

He is a dead ringer for Jabba the Hut.

Anonymous said...

Has ole billy ever come to town with an announced meeting time for ALL voters to turn out and ask him questions? This person is embarrassing for any state to have as dog catcher let alone a congressman. Please Missourians, use some common sense and vote responsibly even if you are retarded from all that juice you drink from the republican faucet of contaminated water.