The Dem's are out to get the Republicans any way that they can and this is a good attack for them if it works. with the drop out or the "Split" of this it is significant, because it makes it look like OOH!! Jerry is guilty and wow they are cutting and running!! Nothing like shouting fire huh?
BSRanch...
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Copeland Lowery, under inquiry, makes surprise move
Guy McCarthy, Staff writer.
Link: www.opensecrets.org
Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White has more than two dozen government and private business clients in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. They paid the firm $1.7 million in lobbying fees in 2005.
Since June 1, at least seven Copeland Lowery clients in the Inland Empire including San Bernardino County have confirmed receiving federal subpoenas seeking records relating to the firm and Lewis.
A spokesman for San Bernardino County said someone from Copeland Lowery contacted the county about the same time the lobbying firm released a statement to the media.
"It's really too soon for the county to digest this and try to determine what it means," said David Wert, county spokesman. "Our legislative director, Jim Lindley, was contacted about 4 p.m. Copeland Lowery assured us this would have no impact on its contract with the county."
The Copeland Lowery statement was issued by Patrick Dorton, a spokesman for the firm.
"Given the current media focus on the firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White has made a strategic and mutually agreed upon decision to separate its partnership into two groups," the statement began.
The FBI and a federal grand jury have also focused on the firm and its ties to Lewis, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees about $900 billion in federal spending. No one on Lewis' staff or with Copeland Lowery has been formally accused of any wrongdoing.
The firm's three Republican partners including Lewis' friend, former Rep. Bill Lowery, R-San Diego will continue to lead the existing firm, while the two Democratic partners will form a separate partnership.
"All the partners remain focused on their client work, discussing issues on Capitol Hill, and working with regulatory agencies every single day," the statement said. "We continue to work on normal routine legislative funding issues, as well as other federal consulting and strategic advocacy on behalf of our clients."
The firm has 19 employees, including 14 registered lobbyists.
The announcement of the Copeland Lowery firm's split came three days after officials with one of its local clients, the city of Redlands, suggested cutting ties with the firm. Earlier this month, Redlands officials confirmed receiving a federal grand jury subpoena ordering city officials to turn over all communications among the city, Copeland Lowery and Lewis.
Lewis, reached Friday evening at his home in Washington, said he didn't know anything about the Copeland Lowery split.
"Why should I know about it?" Lewis said. "I know no more about it than you."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
STATEMENT FROM COPELAND LOWERY
Given the current media focus on the firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White has made a strategic and mutually-agreed upon decision to separate its partnership into two groups. Partners Bill Lowery, Jean Denton, and Letitia White will continue to lead the existing full service consulting firm, while partners James M. Copeland and Lynn Jacquez will form a separate partnership.
All the partners remain focused on their client work, discussing issues on Capitol Hill, and working with regulatory agencies every single day. We continue to work on normal routine legislative funding issues as well as other federal consulting and strategic advocacy on behalf of our clients.
Locla clients
In 2005, Washington lobbying firm Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White had more than two dozen clients in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Those clients and the fees each paid Copeland Lowery that year follow:
Advatech Pacific Inc., Redlands, $80,000
Cal State San Bernardino Foundation, $120,000
City of Highland, $40,000
City of Loma Linda, $20,000
City of Murrieta, $40,000
City of Redlands, $20,000
City of Riverside, $60,000
City of San Bernardino, $40,000
City of Twentynine Palms, $40,000
City of Victorville, $120,000
City of Yucaipa, $40,000
ESRI, Redlands, $40,000
Hi-Desert Medical Center, Joshua Tree, $40,000
Hi-Desert Water District, Yucca Valley, $40,000
Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Chino, $40,000
Inland Valley Development Agency, San Bernardino, $40,000
Lake Arrowhead Community Services District, $40,000
Loma Linda University Medical Center, $60,000
March Joint Powers Authority, $40,000
Mojave Water Agency, Apple Valley, $60,000
Riverside County, $120,000
San Bernardino Associated Governments, $60,000
San Bernardino County, $160,000
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, $40,000
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Riverside, $40,000
St. Bernardine Medical Center, $80,000
Tactical Survey Group, San Bernardino, San Diego, $80,000
Town of Yucca Valley, $40,000
University of Redlands, $100,000
Source: Center for Responsive Politics.
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