Mel Martinez Joins Lobbying Shop Immediately After Quitting Senate

Former Sen. Mel Martinez has joined the lobbying shop of major law firm DLA Piper -- just two weeks after resigning from the Senate.

Martinez has joined the firm as a partner and will advise on issues ranging from government affairs, litigation, defense, energy and real estate, according to a statement released by DLA Piper.

USA Today reports that Martinez will come to the firm with $456,220 in cash from his campaign committee. DLA Piper made $11.8 million last year lobbying for clients that include the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lockheed Martin.

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey left DLA Piper last month amid negative media attention his Freedom Works organization received for its involvement in town hall protests.

Under the Senate's post employment rules, Martinez will be unable to lobby the Senate for two years.

More here.

-- Jenna Staul

Comments

[madtom]

12:24 PM on 09/27/2009

Miami Cubans love the greenback and the Republican Party.

America, not so much. They are so much better than us, you see.

[Fewkes]

10:14 AM on 09/27/2009

Doesn't anyone want to represent anyone but themselves? The inside the beltway politicians have become so skillful at milking the system that we don't stand a chance.

[StJames]

10:31 PM on 09/26/2009

Right, he'll just give them all the latest inside information and tell his new pals who they need to talk to and what that whore likes. And we're still arresting 'working girls' My god, we are a twisted society.

[Daniel Leyva]

12:59 PM on 09/26/2009

That is where all the (corruption) money is!

[BlueDog1]

04:01 PM on 09/25/2009

Think maybe we should do something about this, nahhhh "K" street rules......................

[Gover]

03:52 PM on 09/25/2009

How the F does he get to keep 1/2 million in campaign contributions?

[truesteam]

11:26 AM on 09/25/2009

Didn't they make this illegal? Isn't there a 2 year waiting period in place?

[rbchilds]

09:42 PM on 09/24/2009

Lobbyist = Post Senate/House Employment.

[karen1p]

04:47 PM on 09/24/2009

I am just ill.....

I am beginning to hate "We the People..."

Think we should rename our government motto.

[care4mypeeps]

10:32 AM on 09/24/2009

This should be a surprise to no one that Mel Martinez has joined a Lobbying Firm.

The back room deals that go on at this level is dis-graceful.

Why is it that those who have the most Education skirt the Law the most and participate in illegal dealings and expect not to get caught or be exposed?

Those who draft our legislation and sit in judgement of the American People are guilty of gamming the system.

The time for blind trust of our Elected Officials are over. We must listen to what is being said to us and objectively apply common sense and reason and refuse to be caught up in the hype.

Because you are a Senator or House member you must earn our trust, respect and support.
You do us No favors when your hand is always open with a price tag arround your neck.

You will be held accountable for your representation on our behalf.

Peace and Love

[Horus45]

01:06 PM on 09/24/2009

Education has nothing to do with corruption.

Just look at Tom Delay, yeah... he's a real genius!

[madtom]

12:22 PM on 09/27/2009

And a bug exterminator. I doubt DeLay has more than a high school education.

[PragmaticStatistic]

09:50 AM on 09/24/2009

As long as we allow corporate capitolism to existing in government, we are going to see our elected representatives continue to get rich at our expense.

[Horus45]

01:08 PM on 09/24/2009

Elections should be publicly funded and no outside money should be allowed to influence an election.

[washlib]

11:09 AM on 09/26/2009

EXACTLY! public financing of all election is where reform should START. Until corporatist money is taken out of politics, govt will never be for the people, only the oligarchs.

[SEQUOIABISON]

09:34 AM on 09/24/2009

Apparently working for the lobbyists generates more income than just accepting bribes, "donations" from them. Good luck on your new job mr integrity.

[Mikeeee]

08:38 AM on 09/24/2009

Under the Senate's post employment rules, it should be that no senator can ever lobby the senate, ever!

[totaldisbelief]

07:49 AM on 09/24/2009

Why do we the people put up with this kind of blatant corruption?

[totaldisbelief]

07:47 AM on 09/24/2009

Does he have a tree in front of his house that we can use?