Robert Barber dodges lobbying questions
Four years ago, Robert Barber got caught in the closing weeks of his failed bid for Lt. Governor when information about his past lobbying relationships came to light. These relationshps, as well as his being an attorney, were inconvenient truths which were brushed under the rug during that campaign, as well as his ongoing bid for Comptroller General.
These truths were a little difficult to ferret out, as sources reported to us that hard copies of lobbying reports filed with the State Ethics Commission had been disposed of, making it difficult to determine - until a campaign commercial four years ago tied Barber to lobbying for a bill which would have brought back the sport of cockfighting.
A recent letter which was shared with the Blogland requested that Robert Barber provide copies of his lobbying records to help address these allegations:
Mr. Barber, the position you are seeking is an important one. The Comptroller General is the state’s accountant, and I probably don’t have to tell you that, given the importance of proper accounting of state funds, it is reasonable to expect that a candidate for this office who worked as a lobbyist to disclose his or her lobbying records.
As such, I am asking you to disclose to the voters – through the media – your lobbying contracts -- your total income from lobbying, including year-by-year amounts from each principal, from the time you began working as a lobbyist until late 2005, when you resigned in order to raise money for your campaign for Lt. Governor.
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In a vaguely-worded response letter (a copy of is provided for our readers), Robert Barber avoided answering these questions and refused to disclose any information about his lobbying work and referring anyone with questions to the State Ethics Commission, which we pointed out doesn't seem to have copies of the filed reports any longer.
Compared to Richard Eckstrom, the incumbent Comptroller, who has worked to make public accounting records for state and local governments, Barber's response suggests a serious lack of candor and/or poor recordkeeping. Whichever of these two positions is the case, it certainly doesn't help him make a compelling argument that he's qualified to hold the office of Comptroller General.
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