Trump-connected lobbyists reap windfall in COVID-19 boom
Source: AP
By BRIAN SLODYSKO an hour ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Forty lobbyists with ties to President Donald Trump helped clients secure more than $10 billion in federal coronavirus aid, among them five former administration officials whose work potentially violates Trump’s own ethics policy, according to a report.
The lobbyists identified Monday by the watchdog group Public Citizen either worked in the Trump executive branch, served on his campaign, were part of the committee that raised money for inaugural festivities or were part of his presidential transition. Many are donors to Trump’s campaigns, and some are prolific fundraisers for his reelection.
They include Brian Ballard, who served on the transition, is the finance chair for the Republican National Committee and has bundled more than $1 million for Trump’s fundraising committees. He was hired in March by Laundrylux, a supplier of commercial laundry machines, after the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance that didn’t include laundromats as essential businesses that could stay open during the lockdown. A week later, the administration issued new guidance adding laundromats to the list.
Dave Urban, a Trump adviser and confidant, has collected more than $2.3 million in lobbying fees this year. The firm he leads, American Continental Group, represents 15 companies, including Walgreens and the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, on coronavirus issues. ..............................................
Read more: https://apnews.com/2edf8670a491a702ecfb7312f507f83a
damn. damn damn
FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2019, file photo, The White House is seen from the Ellipse in Washington. Forty lobbyists with ties to President Donald Trump helped their clients secure over $10 billion in federal coronavirus aid. Among them are five former administration officials whose lobbying work potentially violates an ethics order Trump issued after taking office. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
= new reply since forum marked as read
government cronies don't cash in?
In case you forgot:
https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-trump-fires-official-charge-overseeing-stimulus-spending/TqZ7Wqou0VHLFedm9f5uMJ/
The Defense Department’s inspector general who was appointed to oversee spending from the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus signed last week by President Donald Trump has been fired from his watchdog role at the Pentagon, according to a report by Politico.
Reports say Trump removed Glenn Fine from his role as the acting inspector general, meaning the career government official is now ineligible to serve on the stimulus oversight board charged with monitoring spending and preventing any mishandling of the public’s relief funds.
By law, only current inspectors general can serve on the audit panel.
Fine’s appointment as the chair of the stimulus committee last week was widely praised in Washington.
