The Many Ways Special Interests Give To Stevens - And The List Keeps Growing

Alaska Democratic Party Release | September 8, 2008

Defense Lobbying Firm In Washington, DC Raised Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars For Stevens’ Reelection Campaign And Political Action Committee

Palin Linked To Special Interest Donations To Stevens’ 527 Group

Anchorage, Alaska – Many worry that special interests have taken over Washington, DC. Whether it’s Congress or the White House, voters want their elected officials to be independent, thinking of their constituents first. But with the many ways special interest can give to Senator Ted Stevens, some wonder how independent he is. Stevens has been quick to exploit special interest loopholes to take unlimited and anonymous donations that require no disclosure from corporations and lobbyists. Special interests can now donate to Stevens five ways: Senate reelection campaign, Northern Lights PAC, 527 group, foundation, and legal defense fund. With so many ways to give, Stevens must feel bound to the special interests who support him.

“There are many ways to gain influence with Senator Stevens,” said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party. “No matter how much they want to give, or how secretly they want to give, Stevens has an avenue to take the money. With so many opportunities to give unlimited amounts, Stevens must owe a lot to special interests when he votes in Congress.”

Special Interests Can Give To Stevens’ Senate Campaign. Stevens’ 2008 senate campaign received $182,584 from registered lobbyists. But that’s not the only tie lobbyists have to Stevens’ reelection campaign efforts. In a Roll Call article today, Taxpayers for Common Sense showed that Stevens for Senate has paid a Washington, DC defense lobbying firm $167,000 for “fundraising services” and administrative support since 2002. Roll Call reported that, “a lobbying firm representing more than a dozen defense companies that were seeking appropriations earmarks opened an unusual side business: The lobbyists hired someone to provide campaign fundraising and PAC management services to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who at the time was ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Since then, Stevens has paid the firm, Robison International, about $350,000 to handle finances for his campaign and leadership political action committee; the firm’s clients have snagged tens of millions of dollars in earmarks in annual appropriations bills; and according to the Center for Responsive Politics, Robison’s lobbying revenues have quadrupled, from just less than $1 million in 2002 to just more than $4 million in 2007.”

Or Stevens’ Northern Lights PAC – Donations Spent On Food, Liquor And Fishing Trips. According to a NPR Marketplace report, Stevens’ Northern Lights PAC received $931,466.78 in donations, but spent $1,000,993.21 between December of 2004 and December of 2007.

· Stevens PAC Spent $215,375.64 On Fundraising And Travel.

· Stevens PAC Spent $64,475.73 On Fishing Trips.

· Stevens PAC Spent $37,431.55 On Catering And Food.

· Stevens PAC Spent $24,827.97 On Liquor And Wine.

· Stevens PAC Spent $20,710.04 On Parties Hosted By A Donor Or A Company.

· Stevens PAC Spent $8,944.58 On Corporate Flights And $23,844.06 On Commercial Flights.

· Stevens PAC Spent $3,299.39 On Hotels And $4,590.86 On Luxury Hotels And Resorts.

· Stevens PAC Spent $4,360.15 On Limos.

In a Roll Call article today, Taxpayers for Common Sense showed that Stevens’ Northern Lights Political Action Committee has paid a Washington, DC defense lobbying firm around $192,000 for “PAC administration” and fundraising.

Or Can Give Unlimited Donations To The Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service 527 Group. The group was founded in 2003 to raise about $50,000 a year to help elected Republican women candidates and train campaign workers, according to Roll Call. The group could raise unlimited amounts from corporations and individuals outside federal limits. The original incorporators included Gloria Shriver, wife of Alaska Republican Party chair, Randy Reudrich, and Sarah Palin, then Mayor of Wasilla. The foundation’s board is made up of many former Stevens’ staffers and longtime supporters, some of whom are registered lobbyists. Under their tax-exempt status, the group could raise as much money as it wanted, as long as Stevens remained removed from the fundraising efforts. No periodic or annual filings were available.

Or Unlimited Donations To The Ted Stevens Foundation. Founded in 2000, the Ted Stevens Foundation, now known as the North to the Future Foundation, was headed by former Stevens’ staffer Tim McKeever, an attorney who also serves as the Senator’s campaign treasurer. The primary purpose of the foundation, according to the Anchorage Daly News, is “to raise money to create a depository for records from Stevens’ 40 years as senator…The foundation gives money to youth sports and other activities that have been of interest to Stevens throughout his career.” Disclosure of donation sources or amounts is not required.

Or Up To $10,000 To Stevens’ Legal Defense Fund. Last month, Stevens told National Public Radio that he had established a defense fund to help pay his legal bills after being indicted. However, Senate rules require that permission be sought before such a fund is created. According to The Hill newspaper, Stevens changed his story and said, “Again, I tell you, I pay some out of my own pocket, but there is a legal defense fund and it will be reported when the time comes.” According to Senate Ethics rules, a single source can donate up to $10,000 per year to a Senator’s legal defense fund. No public disclosure is currently available.

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