Friday, July 10, 2009 11:19 am
Another tidbit from the Legislative Ethics Journal with special significance to those of us who have no reason to love AIG -
"AIG Closes Washington Lobby Shop"
Federal - The Hill - Published: 6/18/2009
American International Group (AIG), the insurance firm that has received roughly $180 billion in government support in the financial crisis, is officially closing its Washington, D.C. lobbying office. AIG was a major lobbying presence on K Street for many years. In 2008, the firm spent nearly $10 million on lobbying, according to congressional records. "We'll continue to rely on a few outside law firms to respond to congressional requests, [but the forms will not lobby]," said AIG spokesperson Christina Pretto. After it began receiving bailout funds, AIG decided to suspend its federal lobbying practices, but it maintained a Washington office. AIG officials provided the government with information after that point, but according to company records, it did not lobby lawmakers in the first quarter of 2009. Pretto said AIG would continue to do government relations work at the state level, where insurance products are regulated.