It’s an opportunity for corruption, or at least collusion and cronyism: State governments sign deals with private-practice lawyers, who then file lawsuits with state backing, kicking most of the money back to taxpayers, but holding onto a big chunk of the cash. (To be fair, the lawyers often have to spend some of their profits on campaign contributions to the politicians who gave them the plush deal).
The New York Times had a piece on these shady deals between states and private attorneys:
While prospecting for contracts, the private lawyers have also donated tens of thousands of dollars to campaigns of individual attorneys general, as well as party-backed organizations that they run. The donations often come in large chunks just before or after the firms sign contracts to represent the state. …
Virginia’s legislature responded with a bill to require public disclosure of contracts the government signs with these private attorneys. Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a dear friend to trial lawyers, and an acolyte and longtime moneyman of the Clintons, has vetoed the bill. Katie Watson at Watchdog.org has the story:
Even as he touts attempts to strengthen state ethics legislation, Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would have made all legal contracts the state makes with outside special counsel available online for the public, saying that would “needlessly impose harmful restrictions on the ability of the commonwealth to secure specialized legal services and prosecute its cases.”
Virginia’s Office of Attorney General employs about 200 full-time lawyers, but state agencies still spent about $16 million on outside counsel in fiscal year 2013, and $10.6 million the following year, according to an OAG report to leading lawmakers. …
McAuliffe rejected the bill, even though it made temporary provisions for cases where posting a contract would violate attorney-client privilege, or interfere with an ongoing state investigation.
Clintonites will be Clintonites.
