Wayne Berman, managing director of lobbying firm Ogilvy Government Relations, was a Pioneer for Bush in 2000 and a Ranger in 2004. A former assistant secretary in the Commerce Department during the Reagan administration, Berman managed Jack Kemp's vice presidential campaign in 1996.[1] Since then he has established himself as one of Washington's most powerful and best-paid lobbyists. In 2007, the Washington Post reported that the $3.74 million in earnings Berman's firm received from a Chinese company hoping for federal approval to buy part of private equity firm Blackstone Group was the largest six-month lobbyist payday ever reported.[2] Until recently, his wife, Lea Berman, was White House social secretary. She served previously as Lynne Cheney's chief of staff.[3]
Among Berman's current clients are the American Petroleum Institute, AT&T, Chevron, Hess, Verizon and the European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (EADS).[4] His work for EADS came under scrutiny recently after it was revealed that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) had written letters to the Defense Department asking it to reconsider a contracting requirement seen as disadvantageous to EADS. Shortly thereafter, the Defense Department made the requested change, and EADS eventually won the $35 billion contract to manufacture the next generation of in-flight refueling tanker planes.[5] The Government Accountability Office later upheld Boeing's appeal and the project will be rebid.[6]
Berman has not shied away from controversy. He took a lead role in raising money for Scooter Libby's defense fund[7], and helped raise money for Rep. Tom DeLay's (R-TX) re-election committee after the congressman was indicted. "This is more than just a fundraiser," he said. "It's a way of saying that an important part of the Republican establishment supports Tom DeLay now and will continue to support him in the future."[8] Berman is also well known in Connecticut for his relationship with Paul Silvester, a former state treasurer who pleaded guilty in 1999 to federal corruption charges related to his management of the state employees pension fund. During Silvester's tenure, he paid large "finder's fees" to Berman. Berman subsequently hired Silvester to work for his Park Strategies consulting firm. Federal investigators subpoenaed Berman's business records but no charges were filed.[9] As a bundler, he has raised at least $500,000 for McCain's presidential campaign, according to information released by the campaign.[10]
For a complete look at Wayne Berman's lobbying activities, please visit the non-partisan Center For Responsive Politics' money-in-politics database.