Capitol Weekly, Aug 8:
Keenan confirmed Kinney’s version of his deal with California Strategies. He contracted for two and a half months of consulting services at $20,000 a month, for a total payment of $50,000. The deal expired on July 1. Lobbyist filings on the Secretary of State’s website disclose no lobbying payments from Keenan to California Strategies.
“It’s in the city’s interest to get AB 1991 passed,” Keenan said. “It’s also in my interests. We have a community of interest. The way Jason characterized it is exactly right.” When asked why he needed consulting services, Keenan said, “I’m just really not clear on how thing works up there. I felt I needed guidance.”
HMB Review, Aug 8, 12:54 PM PDT
According to Keenan, he had no control over the firm’s activities. He said he would occasionally receive feedback on the legislative proceedings in Sacramento.
Two parties (HMB and Keenan) who have an agreement with one another, separately send checks to the same lobbying firm (California Strategies).
That same lobbying firm then claims those two accounts are “separate.” This does not pass the smell test folks. It reminds me of Enron’s off-balance sheet accounting scam.
In the meantime, the citizens of Half Moon Bay are told about none these backroom financial arrangements, even though our money is being used to pay for these lobbyists. Nice!