Senator Murray's earmark requests for clients of former staffers-turned-lobbyists and campaign cash

KPBJ.com ^ | 10/24/2010 | KPBJ

[Qbert]

Earlier this month, Senator Patty Murray told McClatchy News that, ‘I wasn’t elected to do earmarks. I was elected to get things done.’

Well, as we know, Senator Murray has certainly done earmarks. This year alone, she made nearly $1.4 billion in requests for more than 500 earmarks.

These whopping figures are even more disturbing in light of the recent Seattle Times report that at least 17 of Senator Murray’s former staffers are now lobbyists for whom Senator Murray has requested millions in earmarks for their clients. According to the Times, these staffers-turned-lobbyists were awarded nearly $20 million in earmarks for their clients in the Fiscal Year 2011 Senate Defense Appropriations bill — only one of the twelve annual spending bills. Those staffers-turned-lobbyists and their clients who secured earmarks from Senator Murray in the defense bill have given $80,000 to her campaign and leadership PAC since 2006.

The following analysis takes a look at two of Senator Murray’s former staffers, Shay Hancock and Chad See, who are now lobbyists, the earmarks Senator Murray requested for their clients this year, and the amount of money they’ve contributed to her reelection campaign.

Clients of Shay Hancock at Denny Miller Associates:

• City of Everett was listed as the recipient of an $800,000 FY2011 funding request made by Murray.

• General Dynamics was listed as the recipient of a $3 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray. During the 2010 cycle, General Dynamics PAC contributed at least $10,000 to Murray.

• Giant Campus was listed as the recipient of a $2.5 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray. Since 2003, Peter Findley, the CEO Of Giant Campus, contributed $5,000 to Murray and in 2009, Chris Dukelow, the CFO of Giant Campus, contributed $1,000 to Murray.

• Next IT Corporation was listed as the recipient of A $1.5 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray.

• Paladin Data Systems was listed as the recipient of a $2 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray. Between 2002 and 2003, Jim Nall, The president and co-founder of Paladin Data Systems, contributed $3,000 to Murray.

• SAFE Boats International was listed as the recipient of a $5.4 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray. Between 2003 and 2007, William Hansen, listed as SAFE Boats International’s president, contributed $1,500 to Murray and between 2003 and 2008, Scott Peterson, CEO of SAFE Boats International, contributed $8,800 to Murray.

• Stellar Photonics was listed as the recipient of a $4 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray. In 2009, Ingrid Fuhriman contributed $1,250 to Murray. Since 2007, Hancock has contributed $4,800 to Murray.

Clients of Chad See at K&L Gates

• Infinia Corporation was listed as the recipient of a $4 million FY2011 funding request made by Murray.

• Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Colville Tribe were listed as the recipients of a $630,000 FY2011 funding request made by Murray. During The 2010 Cycle, Chad See’s employer’s PAC, K&L Gates PAC, contributed at least $4,000 to Murray. In 2009, Chad See contributed $1,000 to Murray.

[p. henry]

Washington’s Culture of Corruption just goes on and on.

[anniegetyourgun]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/10/24/2572397/employers-studying-exit-strategy.html

Thanks, Patty.