Top Lobby Firm Forced to Close Because of Ties to Abramoff/Delay

[kpete]

Lobby Firm Is Scandal Casualty
Abramoff, DeLay Publicity Blamed For Shutdown

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 10, 2006; A01



One of Washington's top lobbying operations will shut down at the end of the month because of its ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House majority leader Tom DeLay.

Alexander Strategy Group, which had thrived since its founding in 1998 thanks largely to its close connections to DeLay (R-Tex.), will cease to operate except for a relatively small business-development division, Edwin A. Buckham, the former top DeLay aide who owns the company, said yesterday.

Buckham said in a telephone interview that the company was fatally damaged by publicity about the ongoing federal investigation into the affairs of Abramoff, who pleaded guilty last week to fraud and conspiracy charges. Abramoff is cooperating with prosecutors in their probe of congressional corruption.

DeLay was indicted in Texas last year on money laundering and other charges. He is one of several lawmakers under scrutiny in the Abramoff case, sources knowledgeable about the investigation have said.

"Reports in the press have made it difficult to continue as a lobbying/political entity," Buckham said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/09/AR2006010901996_pf.html

[babylonsister]

1. Drip, drip, drip, topple! There's going to be a long path

of shattered lives and livelihoods before it's over.

[ixion]

2. it wasn't "reports in the press" that caused you to shut down, Mr Buckham

it was that your company was floated part and parcel by a band of thugs.

More 'press victim' stories from the so-called 'party of personal responsiblity'. :eyes:

[WatchWhatISay]

3. Big deal - they'll just open the doors for a new company the next day

They're just dumping the name, as it has no value as a business asset anymore.

These guys will be out doing what they always do within a week.

[Festivito]

5. I'd be sure they are already in that new company.

They may have had the new shingle ready for years.

[DemonFighterLives]

4. Peace on Earth Good Will Toward Men and Women

I hope they are investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
:bounce:

[woodsprite]

6. They'll probably just reopen under a new name

like all those fly-by-night call centers do. That seems to be a quick fix.