Lobbying law’s back door is open to unregistered lobbyists, watchdogs say

[maddezmom]

Posted: 06/04/08 06:27 PM
If you want to shield your lobbying activities from public view, you are better off not registering at all than filing a false registration, ethics watchdogs say.


Though rare, instances when companies or trade associations fail to register their in-house lobbyists are all but impossible to monitor. They represent a small but real shortcoming in the lobbying disclosure statutes that were intended to cast sunlight on those seeking to influence the direction of government.



Watchdog groups also said this crack in the armor is further evidence that enforcement of lobbying laws must be improved. “You have to give a clear sense to the lobbying community that there is going to be a price to pay for significantly or intentionally violating these laws,” said Fred Wertheimer, president and CEO of Democracy 21 .


The clerk of the House and secretary of the Senate are responsible for overseeing compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and related laws, including the lobbying and ethics legislation enacted last year in the wake of scandals, chiefly the criminal actions of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Moreover, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been tasked with auditing registered lobbyists’ filings beginning this year.


more:http://thehill.com/business--lobby/lobbying-laws-back-door-is-open-to-unregistered-lobbyists-watchdogs-say-2008-06-04.html