A major law firm and lobbying group is no longer involved with Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.
Is that an ominous sign of things to come?
Parker, Poe, Adams, and Bernstein (Big Law) recently, and quietly, let Benjamin go.
Benjamin enjoyed the term of “special counsel” with the firm for two years. Why would one of the state's top Democrats be on the payroll of a big firm like PPAB?
Lobbyists like friends in high places. It's good to have them there, and let other clients know that you are cozy with the players.
While thrilled when Benjamin came on board at PPAB, the firm was was not so proud of the break-up.
References to strippers, pay-outs, influence-peddling and ethics – related to Benjamin - dripped out of federal court testimony, in the last two weeks. Benjamin left PPAB June 30.
News of Benjamin's severance from PPAB was first leaked, by an informant, to a political blog that has a penchant for smear and sensationalism.
If a deep-pockets operation like PPAB is tip-toeing around its separation from Benjamin, what could that mean?
Benjamin has not been charged with anything. There has been no public announcement of an investigation. But there is no doubt a corporate law firm knows what's in the chatter.
It is a BIG move if the firm dumped such a well-connected figure.
Benjamin used the famous left “ to pursue other private business opportunities” line in describing his move away from PPAB.
The spokesman for PPAB said nothing. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
Is this one of those cases?
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