George LeMieux, lobbyist? Nah, 'consultant'

As Gov. Charlie Crist strongly considers George LeMieux for U.S. Senate, we've twice asked about the financial interests of his friend, whom he described as his campaign "maestro" in his juggernaut of a governor's campaign. Crist said he's not worried by LeMieux's legal client list. And when asked why it was fair to make lobbyists disclose their clients but not the lawyer LeMieux, Crist said there's a difference between lawyers and lobbyists (video is here and here.)

Oops. We forgot to ask about "consultants."

Turns out, on LeMieux's Senate application form (Download LeMieux Senate Application), he lists MTC Strategies as his consulting firm. Who is that? It looks like the first initials of each of his three boys' names. Federal disclosure records show MTC earned $150,000 in the past 13 months for consulting to the Republican Party of Florida. LeMieux says RPOF is his only client.

In all fairness, that RPOF money's a drop in the bucket compared to the hellacash that LeMieux could have earned. He could have lobbied and cashed in big time. But he didn't. Sure, he's making money, but not nearly as much as he could have.

As an attorney, LeMieux has two State of Florida clients: The Department of Transportation, whom he's representing in talks over the Florida East Coast rail line, and the governor himself in compact negotiations with the Seminole Tribe. The former is paid work, the latter is pro bono.

The Seminoles seem really happy with Crist and RPOF. The Seminole Tribe (since 1996) has donated nearly $912,000 to the state party, with 71 percent of that money coming in since Crist took over state party fundraising once he won the 2006 Republican primary.

Marc Caputo, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

*

Comments

[CRIST=SPECTER]

Follow the money...

how much has the RPOF paid the Frenchman since Chuckles the Clown became governor and especially since the Frenchman left the EOG? Then, look at how much the tribe has "donated" to the RPOF.

Make your own conclusions.

As for him not being a lobbyist, please.

[terminator]

what a scam!

glad the times is finally looking into this.

keep up the good work guys. maybe these other Florida publications will get off their butts one of these days and start doing some investigative reporting but I doubt it.

Charlie, Greer and Frenchie's house of cards is going to collapse once the feds start looking into the abuses over at RPOF.

this thing isn't going away.

[Mike Bilirakis for US Senate]

What is George's record of public service? Representing a state department and "consulting" at the RPOF? Talk about croneyism if the governor selects him!

[Le Fan]

At least he didnt lie about his education degrees like it appears J. Carroll did.

[Le Fan]

And... at least he's not a trial lawyer like Martinez.

[Ballard behind LeMieux Bashing]

Everyone knows Ballard is was behind the Roger Stone story attacking George LeMieux who is a leading candidate for the Senate vacancy. VBallard hates LeMiuex because he is taking away $$ from S&B, and because he hates Jim Greer and has undermined party fundraising due to his inability to control Greer and the Party, or
His failed attempts to control the McCollum Campaign like he did the failed McCain Campaign in Florida, or
Because he sees his money train (Crist) showing some independence and on the way to Washington. So many people have been screwed by Ballard over the years and can't wait for the fall that's comming!!!. LeMieux, time to wake up. Ballard and his cronies are not your or charlie's friend s and never were. Time to take a hatchet to them. Look at what you are dealing with orchestrated by him and his friends when you are up for something. Time to wake up and stop playing nice. You think stories like the SPT stories and Roger Stone stories just come out of mid air, they are fed to get into the press to embarras and discredit you. Dont forget this LeMieux, its a powerful lesson to remember for the future.

[Conservative]

at least he didn't lie period...some of these other applications look like a joke. Is Bilirakis even taking this seriously??

[Susan]

I thought Ballard liked George and helped him get the electric companies as clients because Kise had such a head start on clients when he left the Governors office. I don't think the post is correct about Ballard hating George at all. Why did he help him with those clients if he hated him? Does not make sense

[breaking news]

Did Ballard put Marc up to this BS story? Who cares! George is an attorney - you would expect that he has clients. George is a former campaign manager and chief of staff - you would expect him to consult for political organizations. He is making money doing the same things that would make him a good appointee!

[hidden secrets]

The people feeding this crap to the press are jealous and could better spend thier time researching the others on the short list. George is clean.

[insider]

Susan, Ballard Hates Greer because he cant control him and hates George because George is closer to the gov and has taken the lion share of $. Dont mistake trying to make fake nice try to get your gravy train rolling (standard politics) to actually liking someone. Trust the source on this they know what they are talking about

[Higly unlikely]

Sure, a conservative (CRA) worked on behalf of Brian Ballard on the Stone interview to bash George? A BIG fat nope there.

[Peter Beckett]

Seriously Marc- Ballard has been spoon feeding you for years... He will stop at nothing to get his father in law out so he can take the Smith out of Smith and Ballard. He sees the frenchman as competition and is trying to gut him.

[chief]

The Seminoles were contributing to RPOF long before George came along.

[tom velander]

Give me a break. If you want to attack Lemieux because he's aligned with the conservative base----have at it. But lobbyists have to register via the state site. Attorneys don't and can't list their clients under State Ethcis rules. Consulting stuff is all disclosed as well. Don't see the story here....

[Todays headlines]

Greer overspends.

George has conflicts.

[Paul D. Harvill]

Even though he has numerous health care clients, Jim Smith is in my humble opinion the best choice for the remainder of Mel Martinez's term of office.

For a Republican of course!

[Good thing i'm blind]

cause looking at a short, bald, ugly guy is really taxing to me eyeballs

[hello]

Hello?

[J75]

Paul Harvil. I am surprised that you would support a lobbyist, even if he is a nice guy, to the US Senate

[he makes me vomit]

Ballard regularly sells out his so-called friends whenever he senses it will give him even a small advantage or just for the fun of screwing with people. Destroying people is his hobby. The Roger Stone story wasn't the first time he's sold George down the river. Ballard's a sad little man with a twisted soul.

[look no further than the mirror]

George and Greer have self-inflicted wounds.

[...]

Wow, $150,000 he didn't have to run through the law firm - pure profit...

[Gator(R)]

I am glad I'm too far below the radar to ever get mentioned in a blog.

Some of y'all are brutal. I've met a few jerks in my life, but none would deserve some of the comments on the blogs.

'A sad little man with a twisted soul'. Kind of poetic actually, but pretty harsh. I imagine his family loves him:)

[good job, Chairman]

Jimbo should have cut up his Party cards long ago.

Instead, we got his bills and dirty laundry.

[rpof]

All the Brian Ballard bashing late today is coming from Jim Greer. Brian thinks Greer is a complete baffoon and has injured the party. George and Brian are friends and will be after this process is over. Anyone who knows Stone is laughing there butts off now.

[Gator]

Greer and Delmar are in full force today. What complete jokes. Brian couldnt give a crap about those morons. Greer please go back to destroying the rpof.

[truth hurts]

Some people just dislike George and Ballard because they are successful.

No one likes Greer.

[Cooter]

Ballard is to blame for everything wrong in Jimbo Greers world. Stone, the SPT, Caputo, bad fundraising, bad clothes, horrible relations with every elected offical. But at least Greer can sing. Brian cant take that away.

[Delmar]

I like Greer!!

[Chairman]

Thanvks, Delmar!

[Man in the Mirror]

This is where the Florida Bar fails to self police its members. When self proclaimed "consultants" use the Bar rules to shield the public from their "consulting fees" disguised as legal fees, we all lose. Attorneys lose because it undermines the integrity of the profession. Lobbyist lose because it reinforces the public perception that they are being shady. Public officials lose because it casts doubt on their integrity.

Kise is also an attorney who has developed an incredible book of "legal clients" that if were open to lobbyist disclosure laws would likey be "eye opening".

It really is a big giant joke and everyone knows it.

[:)]

Does anyone at the RPOF think that maybe the press will read applications for the US SEN? Hello???? This wasnt a hit on George at all. Small wonder the Dems are kicking your a@sses..

[Lobbying?]

Lobbying is not "cashing in" if you are a person of his stature.

George can probably generate more fees practicing law as Crist's right-hand man.

[IRS]

Did George ever have a credit card from the party, or did CC just run his expenses...and what of George's international clients...CC must be careful on this one...

[IRS]

George is fine on all IRS matters but Greer is in big trouble. Charlie should put him down soon. Greer better file an amended return pronto.

[In The Know]

Look for big changes in how money goes to the RPOF in near future. Total distrust of Greer. He is a disgrace.

[Long Time Lobbyist]

I love these blogs, defending Ballard by his small group of cronies who he either pays or gets them a piece of the action.

I have been a lobbyist in this town for many years and have worked in and out of state government. Brian Ballard and I have actually known each other for many years and I can flatly say that he is disliked by the majority of the lobbying corp, not just because he has so many clients, but by the way he gets them and screws people over any chance he can get. Also, if the truth be known, most of the legislative leadership and statewides say behind his back that they can't stand him. But, we all know since Charlie Crist took office that Ballard has been a money machine through threats and intimidation. Jeb Bush never let him get even close to the EOG office and this has been one of Charlie's biggest mistakes.

As for the negative attacks on George today, everybody knows who's behind it and why. When Crist leaves the Governor's Mansion other lobbyists such as myself can't wait to tell the story of Ballard's tactics. If McCollum is smart, he won't let Ballard get his claws into his campaign.

Ballard knows what I and others in Tallahassee think of him, he just won't admit to himself what people really think of his character and bullying.

P.S. George LeMieux would make a great interim U.S. Senator. Charlie Crist does not need Brian Ballard.

[Mccain Fan]

I have seen where Jim Greer is attacking Brian Ballard for everything under the sun including hurting the John Mccain campaign. Jim Greer you should be ashamed. Brian worked tirelessly to help John and every
Mccain person knows it. You are a disgusting liar and vile pig. The Mccain team threw you off the plane and banned you from public events. John and Cindy and the entire Mccain team LOVE Brian. The appreciated his good work and the rest of our Fla team. Shame on you Jim Greer.

[The Mind of Jim Greer]

Let me make up facts about people close to charlie so i seem more important. Blame others for my failures. Steal from my business partners. Waste millions of public dollars (RPOF) on myself. Cause embarrassment to the gov by causing rebellion in the party. Be a national joke in DC. Sing and embarrass myself and party on any occasion....where does it end

[Enough already]

Tired of reading about Ballard and Greer. Let us get back to the topic at hand. Who will Crist pick? Well it shouldn't be John Delaney. Visit www.taxandspend.wordpress.com to learn more about his tax loving past.

[5 16?]

This one is kind of funny. Please Greer give it a rest. Facts are stubborn things. Please go away. I know you are worried about what you will do when you are thrown out at the rpof but lobbying wont be on the list.

[Huh]

Now Greer speaks for Jeb? Gee whould it you want to ask him? Go away please Jim

[Press Office]

CC has a press conf. on his schedule for tomorrow...

[Fact Check]

I am not the brighest bulb on the Christmas tree, but when I look at the Lemieux application, on page two under employment, he says he was a legal intern in 1993 and his next job doesn't start until 2003....what did he do between 1993 and 2003? Did he not have a job for ten years?

[Timmy]

FACT CHECK:
READ THE FIRST LINE OF EMPLOYEMENT AGAIN.
HE WAS EMPLOYEED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER. HE HAS THE YEARS AND SHOWS THE BREAK IN TALLAHASSEE.

[Party Over!]

So what is Greer going to do for work after he leaves the "party"?

[Integrity Does Matter]

Long Time Lobbyist you're right.

When Ballard couldn't get his way with the Jeb crew on an issue he'd call the media trying to drop a dime on somebody. He plays fast and loose with the facts too.

Too bad some of his father in law's integrity can't rub off on him.

[Hugh]

Only question is WHEN Charlie is finally going to appoint his little friend. Better do it soon, health care is being debated and will be voted on.

Oh, I forgot. That doesn't matter as much as Charlie Crist getting some benefit out of this appointment process.

[Gentlemenly ways lacking.]

Integrity Does Matter has it exactly right. Jim Smith needs to shake Brian loose because it dilutes his longtime integrity the way Brian, Greg Turbeville, Joe McCann and the rest of Brian's tu-tu band try to run around with their heads cut off and throwing around attitude and sculling around like they are in New York City for God's sake. Grow up and be gentlemen! Would it kill you? I too am shocked as a lobbyist how long the lobbying corps has been patient. Is most of the lobbying corps lying in wait or have they lost their spines? Get ready, media. This could be the story of the year.