Rep. Lewis Aide Got Buyout From Lobby Firm

[Rose Siding]

LOS ANGELES -- A top aide to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis received $1.96 million in severance payments from a lobbying firm with ties to Lewis, according to documents released Friday.

The connection between Lewis, a California Republican, and the Washington-based firm, Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton, & White, is under federal investigation.

The payment to Jeff Shockey, who left Copeland Lowery early last year to become deputy staff director of the Appropriations Committee, was contained in his 2005 financial disclosure form. Congressional lawmakers and top staff must file such forms each year.

Attorneys for Shockey and his wife, Alexandra, a lobbyist, released the form Friday and discussed it with reporters on a conference call on condition they not be identified.
...
The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles has subpoenaed clients of Copeland Lowery, which employs former California congressman Bill Lowery, a close Lewis friend. The firm helps clients _ including counties and towns in Lewis' Southern California congressional district _ get valuable federal project spending, or "earmarks," approved by Lewis' committees.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060901197.html

[ShockediSay]

1. Today I heard a certain ethnic lobby asked Congressman Shays for

for favorable action and was met by Shays w/ a request that they hold a fundraiser for him.

Business as usual in our government, it seems. IMHO it's bribery and extortion that prevails.