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Former Rep. Bentley (Photo/Public Domain)
Yesterday, we reported that former Republican Rep. Helen Delich Bentley donated $1,000 to the reelection campaign of Democratic Rep. C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, who represents the 2nd District, according to the latest candidate filings with the Federal Election Commission.
According to documents provided by OpenSecrets.Org, Ruppersberger supported a $5-million-dollar earmark for Smith Detection, a defense contractor based in Edgewood, Maryland, which is also one of Bentley's lobbying firm's clients. So did his fellow Democratic House colleague Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr. and Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. According to the Federal Elections Commission, Bentley donated $250 to Barlett's war chest and nothing to Kratovil.
Records show (see below) that Smith Detection paid Bentley's firm, Bentley and Associates, $48,000 in 2010. This is only a small portion of the total $1.8 million the firm spent in lobbying the year the earmark was approved.
While this is a common practice in Congress and Washington D.C., and doesn't prove any quid pro quo nor any inappropriate actions, it is an eyeopener for the average citizen to see how the system really works and how cozy current and former members of Congress are with each other and various special interest groups. It also fuels -- so far -- unheeded calls for any meaningful campaign finance reform.
Lobbying *
Helen Bentley & Assoc
Total Lobbying Income: $108,000
| Client | Total | Subsidiary (Lobbied For) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADCOR Industries | $30,000 | - | Misc Mfg/Distrib |
| Patent Office Professional Assn | $30,000 | - | Public Sector Unions |
| Smiths Group | $48,000 | Smiths Detection/Edgewood | Defense Electronics |
* Courtesy of Center for Responsive Politics and Taxpayers for Common Sense
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