Rare trick pays off big time for lobbyists
At least three of the top 10 highest compensated lobbyists registered as working in the State House last year reported building a client list of at least two -- and in one case, four -- different lobbying firms, each pushing their total pay north of
In one case, he reported representing
The bill, which didn't pass, sought to reimburse telemedicine services at the same level as in-person visits.
Rauschenbach told the Herald he didn't directly lobby lawmakers on the bill, one of several of interest to the companies. But those competing interests, regardless of Rauschenbach's level of activity, create what "seem like a tremendous conflict of interest," said
"Bottom line, it's unethical to take money to represent two opposing sides in a policy fight," Drutman said, "just like it would be unethical for a lawyer to represent the defense and the plaintiffs in a case."
Such instances appear to be rare, according to the Herald's review of records filed by dozens of the top paid of the state's 1,500-plus registered lobbyists. But experts warn that lobbying -- a
In a separate scenario, longtime lobbyist
At the same time, another Joyce client,
But ethics experts cautioned that lobbyists have to tread lightly in situations involving complex bills in which clients stake out separate interests.
"I call it shades of gray," said
Joyce, who does not work for other firms, was adamant in phone interviews that he didn't cross any ethical lines with
"How can you advocate, as a lawyer, both sides of an issue? Legally, you can't. I've been very careful not to risk anything that would question my integrity," said Joyce, who said the Herald reporter was the "first guy to ask me in 40 years" in lobbying about such a situation.
"What would make you think that
On the telemedicine bill, Rauschenbach also denied any conflict, arguing the bill "never moved to the forefront" of the legislative process. He said he only counseled clients on the bill, and a spokeswoman for
"If it was a serous issue with divergent issues, one would just recuse oneself from it," said Rauschenbach, who beat an indictment on ethics violations in the 1990s. "They can both list it as (being on) an opposite side, but if it's not a matter that's moving through the legislative process or receives a lot of attention, then it doesn't present itself as a conflict.
"Certain lobbyists do certain things for certain people," he added in another interview. "It's not necessarily they're doing every single thing on every single issue."
A Partners spokesman said officials there are "always aware of any conflict or potential conflicts that may exist among members of our advocacy team."
For other lobbyists no conflicts were apparent, but records showed they've built complex networks of obligations. The Herald found at least six who reported working under multiple lobbying firms. That includes
Stefanini said he "vets any potential conflict" that could exist between clients he serves at different lobbying firms.
"I'm a sole proprietor," Stefanini said. "I have a relationship with different firms, which allows me to work and collaborate with others that I enjoy working with."
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