Yaeger lobbying dispute lands in court

Nothing is more valuable to the lobbyists who walk the halls of the Florida Capitol than the list of clients who pay them to influence state lawmakers.

Last week the scramble over clients spilled over into a Leon County courtroom, where charges and countercharges are flying.

On one side is Don Yaeger, sports writer/author-turned lobbyist. He says he fired two employees at 180 Consulting because he caught them trying to run off with some of the firm's clients.

On the other side are insurance lobbyist Lisa Miller, a former associate in Yaeger's firm, and Meghan Kelly, who was Miller's assistant. Miller says they left the firm after learning Yaeger had been reading their e-mail. (story here)

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Comments

Hilarious that Miller calls her leaving :amicable." I know Don can't stand her. Heard him tell story last month about how he should have known she was bad news when she was asked at a staff meeting to tell her fellow employees one thing they would never guess about her. Her answer: For years she's been lying about her state of birth telling people she's a Florida native when she's really from Massachusets. WHo lies about that? And if they'll lie about that, where does it end? And she was advising Gallagher...no wonder he dumped her.

Looks like Yaeger has done it again. He gets the award for seasoned professionals who have gone to work for him, they figure him out in the end and get out of there as fast as they can. Just like the many wives he's had...how many has it been? 3 or 4? Jeanette, when will you figure him out? After you have spent all of his money? Of course his lobbying firm is circling the drain so it won't be long!

Put the crack pipe down, Don. Miller stealing YOUR clients? Clients she obviously brought to the firm. 180 Consulting looks like they are losing clients because some idiot videotapes people without their knowledge. Why would a client want to risk that? geeeezzzzz! Signed: a client that is glad they are not associated with 180 Consulting and Jeanette/Don Yaeger

Add "videotaping without consent," "reading others emails without consent," and "lying about former employees to CYA," to the google search that pops up about Don Yaeger. What impressive topics come up when you search Don Yaeger King of Sleaze. Give it a try...it's riveting!

You go girls! How could Lisa steal her own clients? Don strikes again thinking he's got the power of the pen but forgot but forgot to write a noncompete. Go Lisa Go!

I am one of Lisa Miller's clients. I always wondered why she worked for Don. Everytime we came in the office he was too busy talking about all the books he was writing and gold watches he was buying. Lisa is an incredible strategist who has helped our firm with a 20% increase in our bottom line even in this economy because she works hard and plays by the rules. My Yaeger is creepy to say the least.

Some of these blogs deserve to be at the Comedy Zone...

sick of yaeger! just move!

did anyone watch yaeger in court yesterday in his latest lawsuit against ben harris....memo to desperate Don...
who will you sue next?

How convenient Yaeger...from the looks of things on this blog, you must have been waiting Lucy's article to appear so you could TRY to do some damage control using the blog. Poor taste and doesn't work ...your reputation proceeds you. Get outta the business or will you just wait till all of your clients lose every nickel they have as you keep "ropey doping" them along?

wow. just got up to see this blog. Lisa Miller is a decent person and does a good job for her clients. i only see yaeger at the governor's club trying to get people to talk to him...which I avoid!

Good article Lucy. I think you know the Yaeger story better than anyone!

Lisa Miller was a stellar public servant with integrity. she was smart to leave yaeger...good luck Lisa

Lots of "real people" posting in the middle of the night.

Namaste' Lisa!

My bet is he has videoed all kinds of activities and someone needs to get a warrant and look for more tapes. He is

Yeager was a Gallager man to the very end. No one in the Crist admin will touch him. Except Greer. Greer and Don are real thick. As thick as thieves!!!!!!!!

Lisa Miller, get off the blogs and go lie to someone new. The sun is up, there's a whole new world of people waiting for you to try and steal their clients (Just ask Meenan, et al). Your wasting time here on the blogs!

Don Yaeger, just waking up and looking in the mirror? you've been in the dark for a long time. Get ready soon because you will be seeing the light...

I'm confused. This doesnt look like a story about two lobbyists flighting over clients. Looks like a story about a person filing unemployment and their boss fighting it. Why do any of us care?

to the previous blogger...you are RIGHT! wonder why yaeger is fighting Kelly? sounds like sour grapes and he's got nothing better to do!

I'm told Lisa has a copy of the video of her getting dumped. She acknowledges the camera is, asks for a copy of the DVD, and then now tries to spin it like she's surprised. Lisa, why not post the video and prove it. Youre scum.

8:49 - or that she collected benefits when she was not entitled and Yeager's UC rate went up...

Tick tock...poor Donny Boy...time is running out. Finally...

bye bye loser. clients already jumping off. Looks like 180 did its job, turned every viable opportunity for their clients around!

lucy's ready to compete with Alex for this year's Pulitzer!

[Cheo]

Franklin Sands and Rod Blagojevich -- Two Peas in a Pod
http://versaillesbeat.blogspot.com/

Any day now there will be a mysterious fire at 180's offices...

I think Don is a great guy. I also think it is hilarious that "someone" posted 11 times between 3:24 AM and 4:26 AM! Come on! You gotta be a little more stealthy if you want people to believe that 11 different people are bashing Don. Plus, how many people are up on one blog story at 3 am?? Me thinks Lisa doth protest too much!

The only people I have seen that say bad things about Don are jealous of his client list. For those (or the one) who says 180 is going down the drain, if I were a lobbyist, I would sure love to go down the drain like him! I saw a list of his clients the other day, it was pretty impressive.

Don is a class act. just ask his wifes

3:24
3:35
3:40
3:42
3:45
3:46
3:48
3:52
4:05
4:11
4:26
8:38
8:45
8:49

Lisa get some sleep. Oh, and FAIL spin control.

Lisa was an English major--check out her 10:14 am post!

Something is very bizarre about this blog. It reflects poorly on the whole lobbying profession. Who is awake and blogging on the buzz between 1:27 am – 4:26 am in the morning? It seems that this shows that most lobbyists are all about “spinning” themselves, rather than actually working on behalf of their clients.

Just wanted to remind Don of his "16 Characteristics of Greatness"...maybe he should be should start listening to himself and start picking on someone his own size.

1. It's Personal

They hate to lose more than they love to win.

2. Rubbing Elbows
They understand the value of association.

3. Believe
They have faith in a higher power.

4. Contagious Enthusiasm
They are positive thinkers... They are enthusiastic... and that enthusiasm rubs off.

5. Hope For the Best, But...
They prepare for all possibilities before they step on the field.

6. What Off-Season?
They are always working towards the next game... The goal is what's ahead, and there's always something ahead.

7. Visualize Victory
They see victory before the game begins.

8. Inner Fire
They use adversity as fuel.

9. Ice In Their Veins
They are risk-takers and don't fear making a mistake.

10. When All Else Fails
They know how - and when - to adjust their game plan.

11. Ultimate Teammate
They will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win.

12. Not Just About the Benjamins
They don't play just for the money.

13. Do Unto Others
They know character is defined by how they treat those who cannot help them.

14. When No One Is Watching
They are comfortable in the mirror... they live their life with integrity.

15. When Everyone Is Watching
They embrace the idea of being a role model.

16. Records Are Made to Be Broken
They know their legacy isn't what they did on the field. They are well-rounded.

[I know the truth]

Oh Jeanette why don't you just shut up and pour Don another cup of coffee?

realize that these posts are about to be closed cause Adam Smith wants to help out a friend who worked/works in the same profession.

Don and his staff, realize that posts about someones sexual preference are low class and liable. I understand that someone right now is checking IP addresses.

and the shout-out posting for don's client list (btw, don was quoted in the Wall Street Journal that he is no longer a lobbyist) is a joke. Have you ever heard of the term hoodwinked?

now, 180 staff get back to illegally taping everyone that comes into the office and ready those resumes.

10:01, if you think he's nice guy you obviously don't know the man. He is far from that.

For Sale: Slightly used Karaoke Machine, new $5000, price negotiable. Call Ben

This is, by far, one of the most amusing threads EVER on the Buzz Blog.

This thread rocks.

For anyone reading outside of Tallahassee: This shouldn't be scintillating to you because it is not normal. This isn't reflective of a majority of lobbying corps in Tallahassee. Honest. This is more like a scuffle on the corner, 20 blocks away, downhill, with police being called to the scene. Just ignore the drama in the distance and keep moving forward.

[Outsider]

I couldn't agree more with the last post.

Yaeger seems to always be about 2 steps away from getting arrested for something.

Jeanette is scuzzy just like Don...they deserve one an other.