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Emails cast suspicion on maybe-lobbyist in Maryland

By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Wed Jun 07, 2006 at 11:27:39 AM EST

A couple of weeks ago I told you about some controversy brewing in Marlyand over David Hamilton, a lawyer and personal friend of Governor Robert Erlich who is accused of acting as a lobbyist without registrating as such.

Now some emails have been released that are fanning the flames.  Hamilton met with Baltimore County officials to unsuccessfully try and convince them to support a client's proposal for a local shipyard.  The Washington Post reports:

When the officials told Hamilton that his client, the shipyard owner, should not expect Baltimore County's backing, he sent them an e-mail asking that their boss soften any comments he might make in opposition. Hamilton suggested that Baltimore County James T. Smith Jr. (D) follow the lead of Ehrlich, who had told a local newspaper he was "concerned" and "not happy" with the plan.

More inside.

Now, Hamilton has claimed that all his actions and contacts with public officials are solely as a lawyer, not as a lobbyist.  These emails throw that argument under suspicion.

"It does not take a legal expert to know what constitutes lobbying," said Bobbie Walton, executive director of Common Cause/Maryland. "He has clearly gone over the line."

Bart S. Fisher, a lawyer for the group fighting the gas terminal, also voiced concerns.

"All of this would be fine if he had registered as a lobbyist," said Fisher, who has filed a state ethics complaint against Hamilton. "But it's not fair for us to have to run around and try to figure out what these relationships are."

I have to agree - if your actions place you so close to the line that people are blurry on your true role, you owe it to the public to clarify your position under the law.


Tags: Maryland, In the States, Gov. Erlich, David Hamilton, lobbyists, Ethics in Government (all tags)


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Emails cast suspicion on maybe-lobbyist in Maryland :: 1 Comment

The Washington Post is owned by Democrats

Why does COMMON CAUSE continue to use an ultra-  liberal newspaper as its regular news source on issues relating to Washingtion politics. I thought the whole idea of CC was to be a nonpartisan organization which was set up to hold government accountable. But time after time they quote the The Washington Post. This newspaper has been owned by the Meyer-Graham family since it was purchased in 1933. Before Donald E.Graham took over as CEO of the Washington Post company in 1991, it was run by his mother Katharine Graham a very left-wing Democrat. Donald has continued the same liberal bias. By far the majority of candidates endorsed by The Washington Post are Democrats. If COMMON CAUSE wants to continue to call itself nonpartisan it shouldnt be using an ultra-left newspaper as its source.

by Adan on Thu Jun 08, 2006 at 10:10:11 PM EST


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