A behind-the-scenes architect of the GOP's much-heralded Pledge to America for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is a filer of one of the more than 1,000 new personal financial disclosures that LegiStorm has added to its site this week.
Staffer Brian Wild's disclosure shows him making more than $240,000 last year as a lobbyist with the Nickles Group. Lobbying records show he has represented such corporate giants as Exxon-Mobil, Monsanto, Federal Express and General Motors. He joined Boehner's staff earlier this year.
Wild's trip through the revolving door from lobbying industry to Boehner's staff may be a harbinger of a wave of such actions likely after the November election, especially if Republicans win the House, forcing major turnover on the Hill. If Republicans do regain power, GOP staffers eager to make money will have plenty of opportunity to exploit their knowledge and connections in the private sector. Meanwhile, lobbyists who are eager for the faster pace and excitement of Capitol Hill - as well as a temporary pay cut but a potentially more lucrative future - will find many hundreds of jobs opening up if a change of power occurs.
Wild's filing is one of more than more than 1,000 disclosures that LegiStorm added this week after completing a sweep of the House and Senate record rooms to copy, scan and upload all personal financial disclosures filed by members of Congress and their staff since we last collected the filings after the May deadline.
The latest document release includes people who were granted a deadline extension, amendments to original filings, new hires and terminations. The financial disclosures, which are filed in paper form, are only available by going in person to the House or Senate and printing out each filing. LegiStorm is committed to increasing government transparency by making all of the disclosures available online.
