Two firms that lobby the District government on behalf major corporations are accompanying and financing Mayor Anthony Williams’ ongoing trade mission to Africa, and a local watchdog group is decrying their participation as “influence-peddling.”
Some 25 people enlisted for the 10-day, $175,000 journey. Private participants paid to accompany the mayor to Ghana and Senegal for what was described as an opportunity to open doors to trade, share best-government practices and encourage a cultural exchange.
They also paid for, at the city’s request, the D.C. government delegation.
Dorothy Brizill, co-founder of DC Watch, said it is cause for alarm that top executives with Kerry Pearson and The Carmen Group, two companies paid more than $550,000 to lobby the District in the last six months of 2005, are along for the ride. The firms advocated for such clients as ACS State and Local Solutions and Georgetown University.
“It is so similar to what is being covered in the national media regarding influence-peddling on Capitol Hill,” Brizill said. “People have bought their way onto this trip to get total unfettered access to the mayor.”
That said, both Carmen and Kerry Pearson have business in Africa. Carmen’s Constance Newman and Charles Williams, for example, both of whom are traveling, anchor the company’s African consulting efforts.
Company representatives did not return calls for comment.
Vince Morris, Williams’ spokesman, said the government has been transparent with regard to the mission “so that no one can accuse either businesses or the District of doing any business in the dark.”
“Every penny of the trip is accounted for and the mayor believes the city and District businesses will benefit by increasing ties to other countries,” Morris said.
