Report: Contractor, Other Businesses Subpoenaed in Lewis ProbeFor those of you keeping track at home, this would be the ninth subpoena reportedly issued by federal investigators in their investigation of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and his buddy Bill Lowery’s lobbying firm, Copeland, Lowery. But there’s something special about this one. All of the other subpoenas were to public entities, like cities and counties. This the first private client we’ve heard about. And it looks like a number of other Copeland, Lowery business clients have turned over documents to the feds. Prosecutors sure are curious.
From the AP:
Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc., located in Lewis’ hometown of Redlands, Calif., received a subpoena seeking records of its dealings with the Washington, D.C., firm of Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White, a person with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday.
The person, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because the subpoenas have not been publicly disclosed, said other businesses also have been asked to supply information. The person did not identify the companies….
ESRI is a leading developer of mapping technology. According to a study by Keith Ashdown of Taxpayers for Common Sense, which tracks congressional spending, the company got at least $55.4 million in earmarks in 2004 and 2005. Projects included $6.8 million to create a new geographic information system to provide a database to the Defense Department, the Homeland Security Department and other security agencies.
“In effect, I think they are opening a new front in the investigation” by sending a subpoena to ESRI, Ashdown said. “That is different than these local governments who could argue that they are just trying to look out for their citizens in making sure they get all the federal dollars they can.”
