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Morrisey Lies About Ties To D.C. Lobbying Firm

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Morrisey Lies About Ties To D.C. Lobbying Firm

July 11, 2018

 

For Immediate Release:

July 11, 2018

Morrisey Lies About Ties To D.C. Lobbying Firm

Morrisey’s financial disclosure proves he has financial stake in anti-Trump lobbying firm

CHARLESTON, WV — Yesterday, Pat Morrisey was called out for financially benefiting from a lobbying effort to torpedo President Trump’s pick to the Supreme Court on behalf of Planned Parenthood.

Caught red-handed, Morrisey tried to deny his direct ties to Capitol Counsel and flat out lied to the media.

The truth is that Morrisey’s wife is one of the owners of the lobbying firm. As reported by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, U.S. Justice Department records show that Denise Henry Morrisey holds a 15 percent stake in Capitol Counsel, the second-largest ownership stake at the firm.

TRANSCRIPT FROM MORRISEY’S PRESS CONFERENCE (7.10.2018):

REPORTER: So your family is not connected to Capitol Counsel?

PATRICK MORRISEY: No. This is the same stuff that you heard in the past.  My wife has never been involved in lobbying for Planned Parenthood.  She has said that over the last year and a half.

REPORTER: But does she still work for this firm?

MORRISEY: Yes, she works for the firm but she doesn’t derive any money from it.

THE FACTS:

“Denise Henry Morrisey receives compensation based on the firm’s profits, including those derived from fees paid by clients, according to testimony her husband gave in 2015 amid a lawyer disciplinary board investigation of Patrick Morrisey’s ties to another Capitol Counsel client, drug wholesaler Cardinal Health.” — Charleston Gazette-Mail

Morrisey listed Capitol Counsel on his Personal Financial Disclosure with U.S. Senate Clerk, confirming that he benefits from his family’s lobbying firm:

“Morrisey won’t come clean about profiting from a lobbying firm that is actively working against Trump’s judicial nominations,” said Belinda Biafore, chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party. “Patrick Morrisey’s lies won’t fool West Virginians.”

BACKGROUND:

Follow the money into Patrick Morrisey’s pocket:

  • The Morrisey family owns the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm Capitol Counsel.

Denise Henry Morrisey holds the second-largest ownership stake in Capitol Counsel… Denise Henry Morrisey receives compensation based on the firm’s profits, including those derived from fees paid by clients, according to testimony her husband gave in 2015 amid a lawyer disciplinary board investigation of Patrick Morrisey’s ties to another Capitol Counsel client, drug wholesaler Cardinal Health. (Gazette-Mail, 5.7.2017)

  • Capitol Counsel was paid $460,000 to lobby for Planned Parenthood, and was “enlisted” last year to “shoot down the [Gorsuch] nomination.” (Washington Examiner, 5.8.2017)

  • Public records show that the Morrisey-owned lobbying firm is still working for Planned Parenthood on “Legislative issues related to judicial nominations.” (U.S. Senate Clerk)

  • At least six partners at Capitol Counsel have given tens of thousands of dollars to Patrick Morrisey’s campaigns over the years. The firm also donated $5,000 to Morrisey’s inauguration party in 2013. (Gazette-Mail, 5.7.2017)

PLANNED PARENTHOOD HIRED THE FIRM RUN BY PATRICK MORRISEY’S WIFE TO LOBBY AGAINST NEIL GORSUCH’S CONFIRMATION TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

  • Denise Morrisey’s firm “went to war” against Neil Gorsuch, lobbying against his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Capitol Counsel represented Planned Parenthood in lobbying against Gorsuch’s confirmation.

  • Capitol Counsel has lobbied for Planned Parenthood as recently as April 2018. Planned Parenthood has paid Capitol Counsel $310,000 for lobbying efforts since 2017. Capitol Counsel lobbies for Planned Parenthood on “Legislative issues related to judicial nominations.”

DENISE MORRISEY HOLDS THE SECOND-LARGEST OWNERSHIP STAKE IN CAPITOL COUNSEL, AND LISTED HERSELF AS “OWNER” OF THE FIRM

  • Denise Morrisey holds a 15% stake in Capitol Counsel, the second-largest ownership stake in the firm. Morrisey listed herself as “owner” of Capitol Counsel on her LinkedIn page.

  • Denise Morrisey received compensation based on the firm’s profits, including those derived from fees paid by clients. According to financial disclosure reports, Denise Morrisey received at least 20% of her earnings from lobbying at Capitol Counsel.

CAPITOL COUNSEL HAS CONTRIBUTED OVER $40K TO PATRICK MORRISEY’S POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS

  • Members of Capitol Counsel has contributed $41,450 to Patrick Morrisey’s political campaigns

P.O. Box 11926
Charleston, WV 25339

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