Podesta reregisters as a foreign agent

From: POLITICO Influence - Tuesday Apr 19,2022 09:34 pm

Apr 19, 2022

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With Daniel Lippman

LIBYAN GOVERNMENT HIRES PODESTA: Tony Podesta has registered to lobby on behalf of a foreign government for the first time since his powerhouse lobbying firm, Podesta Group, collapsed amid scrutiny from then-special counsel Robert Mueller, new documents filed with the Justice Department show.

— The former Democratic K Street fixture will work for the Libyan government as a subcontractor to Dubai consulting firm Tala Elemary Consulting Middle East to push for “fair elections and stability in Libya.”

— That work will include facilitating meetings with the White House and broader Biden administration, as well as congressional officials and the media, “to substantiate and reinforce relationships between the Client and leaders of the US Government Executive and Legislative Branches,” and serve the “dual purpose of maintaining political gains for the Libyan Government and advancing stability in Libya to foster agreement on a constitutional basis for elections in 2022,” according to a copy of the contract filed with DOJ. The contract notes that the parties are still negotiating the price of the arrangement.

— The United Nations has been mediating talks between rival factions in the North African country to come to an agreement on carrying out parliamentary and presidential elections there, which were initially scheduled to take place last December. Those negotiations wrapped up Monday without a deal, The Associated Press’ Samy Magdy reported, the same day Libyans protesting the government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah shut down the country’s largest oil field.

— Podesta, of course, returned to K Street last summer under the new firm Podesta.com after stepping away from lobbying for much of the Trump administration. He registered to lobby on behalf of the blacklisted Chinese telecom giant Huawei and the Bulgarian oil and gas company Protos Energy SSC, and in January, nanotech manufacturer Quantum Materials Corp. hired him to lobby on “issues related to federal pharmaceutical evaluation processes and contracting issues,” according to a filing.

— Podesta reported taking in $1 million to lobby the West Wing on Huawei’s behalf since last year, though according to a disclosure filed Monday performed less than $5,000 worth of work for the company through the first three months of 2022. Protos Energy, meanwhile, paid Podesta $500,000 for no registrable work in Q3 2021, and less than $5,000 to lobby the State Department on “issues related to energy and petrochemicals” in each of the two quarters after that, before terminating the contract last month.

— The documents filed with DOJ this week for the first time shed light on who else is working at Podesta’s new firm. Elizabeth Demaree of Baltimore and Helen Hagerty of D.C. registered to work on the Libya account under the Podesta.com moniker, listing titles of vice president of global policy and communications and chief of staff, respectively.

Good afternoon and welcome to PI. The Hill may be quiet, but that doesn’t mean you should be. Send tips: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.

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CROWLEY ON THE MOVE: Former Rep. Joe Crowley is moving to a new home on K Street, joining Dentons’ public policy practice as a senior policy director. The Bronx Democrat joined Squire Patton Boggs in 2019 after losing a primary challenge to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, despite Crowley’s post as one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s top deputies.

— In an interview, Crowley told PI that while he “very much enjoyed” his time at Squire, “this presented an opportunity … to grow my own practice and be in charge in terms of building up that practice.” He wouldn’t say whether any clients for whom he lobbied will follow him to Dentons, citing legal reasons. “I look forward to bringing the same level of energy and service that I did at Squire to Dentons, and I think we have a great reputation, and I'm sure that there's plenty of business for us to work with there as well,” Crowley said.

— The departure leaves Squire down three former lawmakers in recent years, after former Sens. John Breaux (D-La.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.) left the firm and joined Crossroads Strategies in 2020 — though the firm still counts former Speaker John Boehner and former House Transportation Chair Bill Shuster, to name a few, among its staff.

ANNALS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE, CRYPTO STYLE: POLITICO’s Sam Sutton and Zach Montellaro uncovered the identities of the not-so-secret anonymous donors who gave $14 million to crypto-backed super PAC Protect Our Future. The PAC on Friday disclosed $14 million in contributions — almost the committee’s entire haul — from the Nevada-based fintech Prime Trust LLC. But “after POLITICO reported that Prime Trust was the source of the funds,” a spokesperson for the company reached out to dispute it was the source of the cash.

— “Prime Trust was identified in the PAC filing solely because the transferred funds were held in an account under Prime Trust’s name for the benefit of a specific customer, and Prime Trust originated the wire transfer at the direction of that customer,” Erin Holloway, president of global marketing for Prime Trust, said in a statement. “This ministerial function is commonplace in both traditional and digital custodial relationships and should not be misconstrued as controlling or otherwise directing the flow of funds.”

— “After questions from POLITICO, a spokesperson for Protect Our Future said that Sam Bankman-Fried, 30-year-old founder of the crypto exchange FTX and emergent political megadonor, was responsible for $13 million, while FTX’s engineering director, Nishad Singh, donated the other $1 million.” The PAC had said when it launched earlier this year that Bankman-Fried and Singh were among its top donors.

— “Federal election law generally requires that donations to political committees disclose who is the original source of funding. But pseudo-anonymous donations to super PACs have been rampant over the last few years, with donations routed through mysterious LLCs frequently popping up in reports, effectively masking the original source of the funds,” and the FEC indicated last week it would begin taking steps to curb some of that activity.

INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today.

DEMS WEIGH BLOCKING ANTI-UNION WORK BY CONTRACTORS: “The Democratic Party is considering banning its army of consultants from engaging in anti-union activity following a report that one of its pollsters had helped Amazon combat organizing efforts,” according to a document obtained by POLITICO’s Eleanor Mueller.

— “A union-drafted addendum to any contract between a Democratic Party political committee and a consultant would forbid the consultant — or any of its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates — from participating in an array of activities involving unions. That includes union-busting, aiding an employer in a labor dispute or lobbying against union-backed legislation.”

— “A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee said it is in the process of reviewing the proposal. But union officials indicated it was a sure thing.“ The move would come less than a month “after a report that Global Strategy Group, a prominent Democratic pollster based in New York, had aided Amazon’s campaign to fend off organizing efforts at several of its Staten Island facilities, including by producing videos and distributing flyers that featured company executives extolling the benefits of remaining non-unionized.”

KUSHNER FIRM TOUTED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAUDIS, RUSSIA: “Jared Kushner’s new investment fund, Affinity Partners, nakedly touts the former Trump adviser’s work with Saudi Arabia and his links to several Trump-era deals in hoping to raise money from Wall Street, according to a slide deck for the fund dated from December” obtained by The Intercept’s Ken Klippenstein.

— “Last week, the New York Times reported that Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, won a $2 billion investment from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’s investment fund for his own venture, just six months after he departed the White House. The slide deck confirms the fund’s reliance on Kushner’s government experience and connections, particularly with regard to Saudi Arabia, to gin up business.”

— “The pitch to U.S. investors prominently advertises the team’s experience in the Trump White House, including on the Abraham Accords,” and describes “Kushner as ‘leading the negotiations on the historic OPEC+ oil agreement in April 2020 among the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, which led to the largest oil production reductions in history as the Covid-19 economic crisis shocked global demand for the commodity.’”

IN MEMORIAM: Earl Devaney, the former Interior Department inspector general, has died, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency announced on Monday. Devaney spent a decade uncovering ethics scandals as the agency’s watchdog, and uncovered the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal that led to the conviction of a top Interior official, a congressman and around 20 other government employees and lobbyists.

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Jobs Report

— Courtney Williams is now senior manager of congressional relations at the American Society for Radiation Oncology. She most recently was a health insurance specialist at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

— Bruce "Fez" Miller is now director of federal affairs at Kyndryl. He most recently was principal at Article One Consulting LLC and is the former chief of staff for Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.).

— Dak Hardwick has been promoted to vice president of international affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association, and MaryLee Pollitt has joined as international affairs director. Pollitt was previously senior manager of government affairs at General Atomics.

— Vlad Dorjets is senior manager for environmental policy at Constellation. He most recently was senior policy analyst in the natural resources and environment branch of OIRA at the Office of Management and Budget.

— Southwest has added Christa Lucas as vice president of governmental affairs. She was most recently senior vice president at the National Business Aviation Association , leading its government affairs, policy and advocacy efforts.

— Matt Raymer is moving up to be chief counsel for the RNC, per Playbook. He most recently was a senior legal adviser, and is an RSLC and NRSC alum. He is replacing Justin Riemer , who is stepping down to open his own law firm, Riemer Law LLC, which “will focus on supporting the Republican Party’s election integrity legal efforts.” He will also serve as outside counsel to the RNC.

New Joint Fundraisers

Democracy Defenders (Reps. Elissa Slotkin, Katie Porter, Josh Harder Dan Kildee)
Lummis Victory Committee (Sen. Cynthia Lummis, STEER PAC)

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New PACs

Better Access to Chiropractic PAC (PAC)
Grand Gate PAC (PAC)

New Lobbying Registrations

Adams And Reese, LLP: County Of Aiken, South Carolina
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Lion Elastomers, LLC
Baker & Hostetler LLP: Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Ballard Partners: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Blount Strategic Initiatives: Aluminum Extruders Council
Boundary Stone Partners: Panasonic Corporation Of North America
Bramer Group LLC: Align Precision Corp
Bramer Group LLC: Flyer Defense, LLC
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Ev Fuel Me
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Standard General
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Sun Africa
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Sustainable Framing LLC D/B/A R-Stud
Broydrick & Associates: Meat By Linz
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP: One Medical
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP: Ultra Defense Corp
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP: U.S. Strategic Metals
Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC: Advansix Inc.
Capitol Venture LLC: T-Mobile USa, Inc.
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Mr. Dan Doctoroff Obo Target Als Foundation Inc.
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Parraid, LLC
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Satelles, Inc.
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Sigma Defense Systems LLC
Epplin Strategic Planning: Southern Poverty Law Center
Genomatica: Genomatica
Harbinger Strategies, LLC: American Clean Power Association
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Advocacy For Victims Of Havana Syndrome
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Nexa Technologies
Kountoupes Denham Carr & Reid, LLC: International Franchise Association (Ifa)
Lincoln Park Group L.L.C.: Fincom Ltd.
Live Oak Strategies: United States Mask, LLC
Mayer Brown LLP: Alen Corporation
Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Inc.: National Organization Of Veterans' Advocates
Mlj Strategies: Ankura Consulting Group, LLC On Behalf Of Willco Tech LLC
Penn Strategies: Button Holdings
Penn Strategies: Jersey Shore Area Joint Water Authority
Penn Strategies: Jersey Shore Borough
Penn Strategies: Wayne Township Landfill
Rasky Partners, Inc.: Mass Insight Education & Research Institute Inc.
Roberti Global (Fka Roberti White, LLC): Phoenix Tailings
Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Squire Patton Boggs: Hampton Roads Transit
Strategic Marketing Innovations: 3D Glass Solutions, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: City Labs, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Daxor Corporation
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Eotech
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Ibc Materials & Technologies LLC
Strategic Marketing Innovations: On Demand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Samtec, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Seacorp
Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: Adre
Thorn Run Partners: America'S Physician Groups
Van Scoyoc Associates: Atrium Health
Vectis Dc: The Friendship Foundation
Venable LLP: Glaxosmithklein Consumer Healthcare

New Lobbying Terminations

98Point6: 98Point6
Agribank, Fcb: Agribank Fcb
Alcalde & Fay: Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (Tampa International Airport)
American Defense International, Inc.: Hoylu Ab
American Defense International, Inc.: Pavisus As
American Defense International, Inc.: Theoria Medical
Arentfox Schiff LLP: Sab Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Arentfox Schiff LLP: Silver Diner, Inc.
Arentfox Schiff LLP: Strato, Inc.
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: USa Strong Inc.
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Activepure Technologies, LLC
Bluestone Strategies, LLC: Bockorny Group (One Behalf Of Post Acute Medical)
Capitol Counsel LLC: Communitech
Capitol Counsel LLC: Energy Exploration Technologies (Energyx)
Capitol Counsel LLC: Kaje LLC
Capitol Counsel LLC: Shopify
Capitol Counsel LLC: The Everglades Trust, Inc.
Capitol Counsel LLC: The Mentor Network
Clause Law P.L.L.C.: Native American Rights Fund
Cline Strategic Consulting, LLC: Byd Motors Inc.
Compass Consulting Group, LLC: Fluor Corp
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: National Pork Producers Council
Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Provender Partners
Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Republic Metropolitan LLC
Dickinson Wright Pllc: Society For American Archaeology
Domer Consulting, LLC: Nfib (National Federation Of Independent Business)
Echelon Government Affairs: Hyperice Inc.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: Novavax
Fbb Federal Relations: Green Hills Software
Forbes-Tate: Capitol Solutions On Behalf Of Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network, Inc.
Forest Hill Consulting: Bacterioscan Inc
Holland & Knight LLP: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
Jwf Consulting LLC: Mha
Jwf Consulting LLC: North Dakota Hospital Association
Jwf Consulting LLC: Washington State Hospital Association
Kellen Company: Copper Development Association - Sustainable Energy Division
King & Spalding LLP: Acera Surgical, Inc.
King & Spalding LLP: Amarin Pharma, Inc.
King & Spalding LLP: American Medical Technologies
K&L Gates, LLP: National Assn For Biomedical Research
Lincoln Park Group L.L.C.: K&L Gates LLP O/B/O Clark Street Associates O/B/O Everactive Inc.
Mason Street Consulting, LLC: 98Point6 Inc.
Mason Street Consulting, LLC: Advamed - Advanced Medical Technology Association
Mason Street Consulting, LLC: Centene Corporation
M-Sec Enterprises LLC: Symptomsense LLC
Pauley Management Inc.: 360 K9 Group
Podesta.Com: Protos Energy Ssc
Prime Policy Group: 3Am Innovations
Prime Policy Group: Burson Cohn & Wolfe On Behalf Of Hologic, Inc.
Prime Policy Group: Burson Cohn & Wolfe On Behalf Of Smart Glove International
Prime Policy Group: Global Medical Response (Formerly American Medical Response)
Prime Policy Group: Puerto Rico Mayors Association
Reardon Consulting, LLC: Coalition Of Seafood Processors (Informal Coalition)
Sabiston Consultants, LLC: Port Of South Louisiana
The Conafay Group, LLC: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
The Raben Group: Alliance For Safety And Justice, A Project Of The Tides Center
Van Scoyoc Associates: Guarding Against Pandemics
Van Scoyoc Associates: Zebra Technologies
Venable LLP: Carousel Center Company Lp
Williams And Jensen, Pllc: Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association
Wynne Health Group: Association For Psychological Science

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