Burnt Orange Report

State Lobbyist Once Worked Closely With Abramoff

By Vince Leibowitz

Todd Boulanger, a lobbyist representing Texas's interests (or, at least, the Republican's interests) in Washington has deep ties to Jack Abramoff, according to a story in Tuesday's Houston Chronicle:

Boulanger was a member of what was known as "Team Abramoff" while working at the law firm of Preston, Gates & Ellis, and he followed Abramoff when he moved to Greenberg Traurig LLP. Then in March 2004, they both moved to Cassidy & Associates.

Along with Abramoff, Boulanger was a registered lobbyist for Indian tribes in Mississippi, Michigan and Louisiana, as well as the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. The Mississippi and Louisiana tribes wanted to halt expansion of Indian gaming in Texas because it competed with their casinos.

Boulanger and his current firm, Cassidy & Associates, were hired by the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations under a $330,000 contract. Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick sit on the advisory policy board for that state office.

It's the second time the state has hired as a congressional lobbyist someone with connections to controversies surrounding former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land.

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chairman Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) had this to say on the subject:

"It's cronyism at its worst...All these guys are connected to one another....What do we have 32 congressmen for? They are up there to advocate for the best interests of the state of Texas? The governor definitely ought to cancel that contract."

Though Boulanger has not been accused of wrongdoing in the Abramoff investigation, Abramoff pleaded guilty this month to ethics charges.

Boulanger has been linked to Abramoff and DeLay's inner circle for years, according to published reports. DeLay's former chief of staff, Tony Rudy, reportedly introduced Boulanger to his wife, Jessica, who also worked on DeLay's staff. Jessica Boulanger now is the press secretary of Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who is campaigning to replace DeLay as majority leader.