Richmond Times-Dispatch: Watchdog group says McGuireWoods utilized weak Va. law by hiring former speaker
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Watchdog group says McGuireWoods utilized weak Va. law by hiring former speaker
he hiring of former Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell by one of the country’s biggest consulting firms illustrates a weakness in Virginia’s ethics laws, according to a watchdog group that wants to reduce the influence of money in politics. …
But a weak definition of lobbyist in Virginia allows Howell to advise clients on how they can influence his former colleagues, and allows him to call former colleagues in the legislature to request appointments for clients, according to Paul S. Ryan, vice president of policy and litigation at Common Cause, an organization that works to remove the influence of money in politics.
“Despite the state’s ethics laws, McGuireWoods’ wealthy clients will be able to buy a lot of access and influence through Mr. Howell — access and influence not available to the average Virginian,” Ryan said in a statement.