Casino backers have given more than $40k to Rep. Bart Stupak

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI 1st) has authored various bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would ultimately allow the Bay Mills Indian Community and its financial backers to build a casino in Port Huron, Michigan. That tribe already has two casinos on its reservation in Northern Michigan.

During the 110th Congress Stupak authored H.R. 2176 (Related Bills: H.RES.1298, H.R.3048, H.R.4115) which was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in February 2008 but was defeated overwhelmingly in a vote of the full House in June 2008.

Casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., and members of Detroit's Ilitch family (they own the Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesars Pizza, Detroit Tigers and MotorCity Casino) are behind the scheme to develop a Port Huron casino.

Several D.C. lobbying firms including Wheat Government Relations (Alan Wheat, Julie Shroyer and others) and Potomac Partners DC (Richard Alcalde & Daniel Feliz) have been retained by their affiliates and partners (Bay Mills Indian Community, MJM Enterprises, Blue Water Resorts).

Collectively they have contributed at least $39,900 to Stupak's political committees. They've raised thousand more for Stupak via business associates, vendors, attorneys, consultants and other friends. (See Contributions Details)

A report available at CampaignMoney.com indicates that Stupak also received another $3,500 directly from the Bay Mills Indian Community. Because generally federal political contributions are restricted to individuals and most data base tracking services are not set up to track contributions from organizations, it is often difficult to track contributions from Indian tribes. Tribes are exempt from the rules that apply to most other organizations and corporations.

Dan Feliz: further background on D.C. lobbyist employed at Potomac Partners D.C.

The following provides additional insight into the background of D.C. lobbyist Dan Feliz (Daniel Feliz), employed by Potomac Partners D.C., a firm owned by lobbyist Rick Alcalde (Richard Alcalde).

From an essay written by Feliz and linked to the Web site of the United States Naval Academy's English Department:

What An English Major Has Done For Me
By LT D.X. Feliz, USN

...My education in the Navy for me did become a way of life. In was through books and lively classroom discussion that I learned how to learn, how to listen, and how to express myself. These finer touches of communication opened incredible opportunities for me at the Naval Academy and beyond its walls. Because I was an English major I was able to pursue a graduate degree at Harvard University after graduation. Because I was an English major I was selected for a Congressional internship in Washington D.C. Because I was an English major I served as the ship’s public affairs officer and helped the USS Maine earn the Admiral Thompson award for excellence in public affairs. And the best opportunity my major has afforded me is the chance to return to the Naval Academy to share my love of literature with future naval officers.

Hopefully I can pay forward these opportunities to my students and fellow English majors.

Daniel Feliz
LT, USN
Submarine Officer
USNA Class of 1997
M.P.P., Harvard University '99

NOTE: Daniel X. Feliz may have been an intern for Rep. John T. Doolittle. He may have been nominated to attend the USNA, Annapolis, by Rep. Doolittle. His father John Feliz is a long-time political operative for Doolittle and managed Doolittle's first campaign for public office. Daniel Feliz first registered as a D.C. lobbyist in 2005 and made a contribution 9.30.06 to Doolittle's campaign which falsely recorded Feliz's occupation as "retired."

McClintock's campaign manager has ties to scandals involving Reps. Doolittle and Young

The son of Tom McClintock's campaign manager is employed by the lobbyist who's at the center of the scandal involving Rep. Don Young and a controversial $10 million Coconut Road, FL, earmark.

This spring, McClintock relocated 350 miles to Northern California so he could run in the race to replace Rep. John T. Doolittle in the state's 4th CD. Doolittle is under investigation in the wake of the Abramoff scandal and decided not to seek re-election.

McClintock's campaign manager is GOP political operative John Feliz. Feliz has ties to Doolittle, Richard Pombo and others who've been the targets of recent corruption probes. In fact, Feliz helped Doolittle in his first run for public office and the pair were subsequently fined for violating California election laws.

John Feliz's son, Daniel "Dan" Feliz is a rookie D.C. lobbyist employed by Potomac Partners D.C. That firm was started by Richard "Rick" Alcalde.

It was recently revealed that Alcalde is one of Rep. Don Young's "A-Team" of lobbyists who reportedly has unfettered access to Young staffers.

As it turns out, Alcalde and the younger Feliz represent Daniel Aronoff's Landon Companies.

Aronoff is the Michigan developer who raised thousands for Young, flew him around in a private jet and stood to benefit from Young's redirecting of the $10 million Coconut Road earmark.

The U.S. Senate in rare action has directed that the Justice Department open an investigation into the matter placing Alcalde (and Dan Feliz) at the heart of the investigation.

Tangled web of corruption in race to replace Rep. Doolittle; includes ties to Detroit gambling interests

Rep. John T. Doolittle is under federal criminal investigation in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Doolittle in his ninth term representing California's 4th Congressional District but announced in January that he would retire.

Tom McClintock is the darling of California conservatives. He ran for Governor against Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003. McClintock, who hails from Ventura County decided last Spring to pack up and move 350 miles away, in order to run for Doolittle's seat in the 4th CD. He succeeded in winning the GOP nomination.

John Feliz
McClintock's campaign manager is John Feliz, a GOP political operative who got his start helping Doolittle in his first campaign for public office. Feliz and Doolittle were fined on several counts for violating California election law in that campaign.

John Feliz has ties to former Rep. Richard Pombo. And Feliz's son, James Feliz, then a college student at University of the Pacific was involved in recruiting college students to work in Pombo's failed '06 re-election bid.

JohnsonClark Associates
Also tied to these politicos is a Sacramento-based political consulting firm JohnsonClark Associates. The firms president Wayne Johnson is the president of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC).

Pombo's campaign paid JohnsonClark more than $2.68 million during his '06 re-election campaign. Doolittle's campaign paid JohnsonClark $96,355 during the same campaign.

David Bauer, CFO at JohnsonClark, is treasurer for "McClintock for Congress." Pombo's campaign paid Bauer more than $53,000 during the '06 cycle for accounting services. Doolittle paid Bauer more than $18,000 for accounting services in the '06 cycle.

Partnership for America
According to a report 5.05.08 in The Hill:

A California-based group and other local officials filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint Monday [5.05.08] regarding the alleged ties between an ex-aide to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) and state Sen. Tom McClintock (R)...

At issue is the role of Steve Ding — an ex-McClintock consultant and former chief of staff for Pombo — and The Partnership for America, a 501(c)4 advocacy group headed by Pombo.

McClatchy recently reported that Pombo’s group is organizing a $660,000 independent campaign in the 4th congressional district...

Ding was soliciting donors for the Partnership for America during an April 22 National Indian Gaming Association meeting...

Dan Feliz & Rick Alcalde
Another Feliz son, Daniel "Dan" Feliz is now registered as a D.C. lobbyist employed at Potomac Partners D.C. by Richard "Rick" Alcalde. Dan Feliz is a rookie lobbyist who has no relevant Capitol Hill experience other than being an intern. He graduated from the Navy Academy at Annapolis and attend Harvard.

Alcalde and Dan Feliz are contributors to Doolittle. Dan Feliz registered as a D.C. lobbyist on 5.01.06. Then on 9.30.06 Feliz made a $500 contribution to Doolittle's campaign but treasuer David Bauer falsely reported the younger Feliz as "retired" rather than as a "lobbyist." Certainly they all know the rookie lobbyist is not "retired." Why were they attempting to conceal that information?

Alcalde is one of Rep. Don Young's "A-Team" lobbyists who finds himself at the center of the $10 million Coconut Road, FL, earmark scandal involving Young (R-AK). Alcalde and Dan Feliz represent Daniel Aronoff (Landon Companies), the Michigan developer who reportedly raised funds for Young, flew him around in a private yet and stood to benefit greatly from the earmark.

Michael Malik & Marian Ilitch
Alcalde and Dan Feliz also represent Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik (MJM Enterprises) and one of Malik's partners, the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Malik's business partner is Mrs. Marian Ilitch -- she owns Detroit's MotorCity Casino and co-owns the Detroit Red Wings and Little Ceasars Pizza.

Malik and Ilitch family members have contributed and raised more than $100,000 for Pombo and Young. They've also fronted travel and entertainment costs for the pair totaling more than $41,000. There are no direct contributions to Doolittle. But they've given nearly $97,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee; and at least $50,000 to the Republican National Committee.

And Detroit-based Malik has previously contributed $5,600 to Tom McClintock's California campaign.

Among other casino ventures throughout the U.S., Malik & Ilitch formed BarWest LLC and have pursued several failed attempts to bring Indian gaming to Barstow, CA.

Malik & BarWest were fined in California for failing to report a $26,000 contribution they made in 2004 to Pombo's San Joaquin County GOP Victory Committee. They are currently under investigation in California for failing to report a string of 2006 political contributions and for irregularities in lobbying reports and payments.

Although never publicly acknowledged, documents obtained by TVT suggest John Feliz has been involved behind the scenes with Malik & Ilitch on their plans for casino development in California.

And JohnsonClark's CFO David Bauer has provided bookkeeping and political reporting services to Malik/Ilitch affiliates.

Does Rep. Young's A-Team include detroit casino syndicator Mike Malik?

Rep. Don Young's leadership PAC is called "Midnight Sun." Young has raised as much as $200,000 in past election cycles through this little known PAC.

Many of Young's "A List-ers" traditionally use the Midnight Sun PAC to direct money to Young.

Daniel Aronoff, the Michigan developer at the center of Young's Coconut Road earmark scandal, has previously joined "A-List-ers" in contributing to Midnight Sun.

This time around Young has raised only $34,500 for Midnight Sun. That money has come from fourteen individuals including some of Young's "A-List-ers" (Randy DeLay, Jack Ferguson, C.J. Zane) and also Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr.

Malik contributed $3,000 to Midnight Sun PAC on 8.15.07.

On 3.31.08, Malik also gave maximum contributions totaling $4,600 to Young's political campaign committee. Joining Malik in making contributions on 3.31.08 were "A-List-ers" Richard Alcalde (and his associate Dan Feliz) and Jack Ferguson. Alcalde and Feliz are lobbyists for Malik.

Since 1999, Young has helped shepherd bills that would pave the way for Malik to build and manage off-reservation Indian casinos. One such bill, H.R. 2176, was heard and approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in February. Young is ranking member of the committee. Young took H.R. 2176 to the floor of the House and fought hard for its passage but his colleagues overwhelmingly rejected Malik's casino bill on 6.25.08.

Rick Alcade, Rep. Don Young's "A Team" Lobbyist

In April, the U.S. Senate asked the Justice Department to open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a $10 million expenditure for a highway interchange in Florida [Coconut Road earmark] promoted by Alaska Rep. Don Young (R), the former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Then U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to request a federal criminal investigation into the matter which “shifted $10 million from a road widening project in southwest Florida to a study of an interchange that promised to benefit one of Young’s campaign donors,” Michigan developer Daniel Aronoff. Around this time, Young collected $40,000 in contributions from a variety of interests tied to Aronoff, including lobbyist Richard "Rick" Alcade, who “worked on behalf of Aronoff’s real estate firm, the Landon Companies.”

In 2005, Rick Alcalde (Potomac Partners, D.C.) represented both Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Aronoff’s Landon Companies. Landon Companies, a real estate company, has paid Alcalde’s firms (first Ogilvy Government Relations, then Potomac Partners) a combined $600,000 since 2003. FGCU has paid Potomac Partners $140,000 since 2005. Aronoff affiliates apparently fronted costs for Young including fundraising and travel aboard private planes.

In 2005, Alcade specifically lobbied Young on the highway bill.

Alcalde reports contributing $8,500 to Young's campaign committee. His clients have contributed much more.

Alcalde and his associate Daniel Feliz continue to represent Florida Gulf Coast University and Aronoff's interests in Washington, D.C.

Young's "An Intern's Survival Guide" includes Alcalde among a group of nine "A-Team" lobbyists who should get direct access to Young staffers whenever they call Young's office.

Lobbyists and their clients doled out $17k to Rep. Young on March 31st

According to details available at OpenSecrets.org, these individuals made contributions to Rep. Don Young on 3.31.08:

Richard Alcalde/Rick Alcalde (lobbyist) - $1,500
Scott Baugh (attorney and lobbyist, Platinum Advisors LLC) - $1,000
Jay H. Brown (Las Vegas attorney)- $2,000
Daniel Feliz/Dan Feliz (rookie lobbyist) - $500
Jack Ferguson (lobbyist and one time aide to Rep. Young & Sen. Stevens) - $1,000
Arthur Hackney (Young's AK political consultant; was paid $500k by Young's campaign in 2006) - $500
James W. Holton (attorney, former chair of the Florida Transportation Commission) - $2,300
Michael Malik (Detroit casino syndicator) - $4,600
Alexander Odishelidze (advocate) - $2,000
Jack Victory (lobbyist, one time aide to Rep. DeLay & Rep. Pombo) - $2,000

Acalde and Feliz are registered lobbyists for Malik -- together they shelled out $6,600. Malik and his partners (members of Detroit's Ilitch Family) have previously shelled out combined contributions ranking them among Young's top donors. So how are these other political contributors related?

The Hill reports that Alcalde is one of Rep. Young's "A List" lobbyists. The newspaper indicates Young is in the middle of the Rep. Young's notorious "Coconut Road" earmark. The Senate voted to direct the Justice Department to initiate an investigation of the matter.

Alaska's Rep. Don Young a leader in Michigan Indian casino fight

6.24.08

Today's news for the Last Frontier
By Kathleen McCoy

Rep. Don Young shows up in Michigan fight over Indian casinos. The debate is over land swaps for casinos, according to Freep.com. The link to Young is a bit of alphabet soup, but it's quick.

Disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, now serving time for fraud and tax evasion, once represented the Indian tribes fighting for the land swap. Developer Mike Malik worked on one of the casino deals. He hired Washington lobbyist Richard Alcade, who also worked for developer Daniel Aronoff. They've both been linked in news accounts to the $10 million Coconut Road earmark in Florida, promoted by Alaska's Don Young.

Here's the bottom line: Young is the ranking Republican on the Natural Resources Committee and supported the casino bills when they were passed by the committee in February. Malik contributed $4,600 -- the limit -- to Young's re-election committee March 31. Alcalde and an associate Dan Feliz also wrote checks to Young on March 31 -- as did several of Young's "A List-ers."

See the list of those who contributed 3.31.08 to Young's re-election committee.

Why was the Earp Cohn law firm investigating "Dan Feliz?"

Someone at the Earp Cohn law firm has been reviewing posts at TVT regarding "Dan Feliz."

Among the Earp Cohn firm's key practice areas: White Collar Criminal Defense and Government Enforcement.

The law firm's Web site indicates:

Our white collar defense practitioners have a proven record of success for individual and corporate clients in complex government investigations. Our lawyers include former federal and state prosecutors with many decades of experience on both sides of the isle [sic]. They know how prosecutors and investigating criminal agents plan and conduct their investigations. They have the savvy and the willingness to fight for their clients that these high stakes situations require...

Public Corruption, Campaign Finance, and Election Law Fraud

We have successfully represented public officials who have been the targets of investigations and prosecutions and private individuals who have been targeted by prosecutorial and administrative bodies for campaign finance and election law violations...

You may want to review these additional posts:

• Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist (son of a Doolittle political operative) as “retired”
• Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• Alcalde is latest controversial player on the Ilitch/Malik DC Team
• D.C. Lobbyists for Michael Malik's Port Huron casino scheme terminated
• Why did Sen. Carl Levin's political committee return $4,600 from Mike Ilitch?
• Look who took part in preliminary discussions about Big Lagoon/Los Coyotes casinos

D.C. Lobbyists for Michael Malik's Port Huron casino scheme terminated

Michael Malik's longtime D.C. lobbying firm Wheat Government Relations (WheatGR) and neophyte lobbyist Daniel Feliz (a rookie lobbyist whose family has political ties to Rep. John Doolittle and former Rep. Richard Pombo) are reporting mid-year terminations by Malik's Blue Water Resorts, L.L.C. Nothing has been reported yet to suggest Malik's Blue Water Resorts had retained the services of any new lobbying firms.

Blue Water Resorts, L.L.C. is noted as a Gaming Development Company that was formed by Malik in 2001 and has a mailing address at the Fox Theater Office Building in downtown Detroit where Malik's various enterprises and Ilitch Holdings, Inc. have their primary offices. A lawsuit Malik has filed against a competitor recently suggests Blue Water Resorts, L.L.C. is an enterprise Malik formed to support his activities surrounding plans for an off-reservation Bay Mills Indian Casino Malik's proposed for the Thomas Edison Inn site in Port Huron, Michigan.

Wheat GR and Feliz had been lobbying on H.R. 2176, a bill introduced in May by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI 1st) and co-authored by Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI 10th) to provide for and approve the settlement of certain land claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community. Both lobbying firms were terminated at the end of July. Malik's Blue Water Resorts had paid the two firms a total of $100,000 since January 1, 2007. H.R. 2176 has yet to make any progress in the House of Representatives.

Another Malik enterprise, MJM Enterprises (MJM Enterprises Development Company) has retained Potomac Partners D.C. (a lobbying firm headed by Richard Alcalde in which neophyte lobbyist Daniel Feliz is also an employee) to represent Malik's interests lobbying on H.R. 2176. Malik's MJM Enterprises paid Potomac Partners D.C. $60,000 for representation during the first half of 2007.

The Bay Mills Indian Community retained Drinker, Biddle & Reath lobbyist Virginia Boylan this past January (2007) but report paying less than $10,000 to the firm during the first half of 2007.

In July 2006, the Bay Mills tribe retained Zell & Cox to also represent the tribe's land claims interests and has paid that firm less than $20,000 for its services for the period from July 2006 through July 2007.

The Bay Mills Indian Community has been represented by Wheat Government Relations (a lobbying firm with multiple ties to Michael Malik) for nearly a decade but lobbying disclosures from WheatGR for the first half of 2007 were not yet posted.

Since January 2007:

• Blue Water Resorts/MJM Enterprises has paid $160,000 to D.C. lobbyists; and
• Bay Mills Indian Community has paid just $10,000 to D.C. lobbyists (absent any payments that may have been made to Wheat Government Relations but were yet to be recorded).

UPDATE: D.C. lobbying expenses logged by casino affiliates/partners of Michael J. Malik & Marian Ilitch top $3.53 million.

You may want to also review these related posts:

• Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist (son of a Doolittle political operative) as “retired”
• Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project
• Alcalde is latest controversial player on the Ilitch/Malik DC Team
• UPDATED: Detroit casino syndicators had previously masked their $665,000 relationship with controversial D.C. Lobbyist
• Former Miss California lands job as lobbyist for D.C. health care association
• Appears lobbyist Maryanne Sapio has left Wheat Government Relations
• Team Ilitch directed $40,000 to RICH Political Action Committee
• $3.53 million paid to at least 8 D.C. lobbying firms

Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist (son of a Doolittle political operative) as “retired”

TVT has uncovered records filed with the FEC that indicate Daniel Feliz, a rookie D.C. lobbyist and son of conservative California GOP political consultant John Feliz, contributed $500 to John T. Doolittle for Congress on September 30, 2006. John Feliz is a long-time aide and political operative for Rep. Doolittle and was one of the individuals fined for illegal campaign activities in one of Doolittle’s earliest campaigns for public office.

Why is that of interest?

The contribution record falsely indicates that Daniel Feliz, a resident of Millersville, MD, has no business affiliation and is “retired;” but in fact, the younger Feliz has been registered since 5/01/06 as a new D.C. lobbyist representing a client, Blue Water Resorts, and also became affiliated with Richard Alcalde’s lobbying firm Potomac Partners D.C. in mid-2006 representing clients MJM Enterprises and Shinnecock Indian Nation.

Tangled Political Web: D.C. – Detroit - Sacramento
Surely Rep. Doolittle and campaign treasurer David Bauer are aware the young Dan Feliz, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Harvard University is not “retired” but instead started a D.C. lobbying career in 2006. Both Doolittle and Bauer have been friends of the Feliz family for years.

According to the American Association of Political Consultants 2006 Membership Directory, Bauer is chief financial officer of JohnsonClark Associates, 2150 River Plaza Dr., Ste. 150, Sacramento, CA 95833. Bauer has been treasurer for the campaign committees of Doolittle and former Rep. Richard Pombo; as well as their various affiliate committees, PACs and allies. John Feliz has a long held affiliation working in partnership with JohnsonClark Associates.

Blue Water and MJM Enterprises are controlled by Detroit-based casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr.; he and a partner Mrs. Marian Ilitch (Little Caesars Pizza, Detroit Red Wings, MotorCity Casino, etc.) are bankrolling casino plans for the Shinnecock Indian Nation on Long Island, NY. The pair also formed Detroit-based Barwest LLC in February of 2003, a casino development and management company that is bankrolling plans for dual off-reservation Indian Casinos proposed for Barstow, CA. Malik & Ilitch Family members contributed heavily to Pombo, and while not directly contributing to Doolittle have pursued various earmarks and grants that may have passed through the House Appropriations Committee. John Feliz has been affiliated with Malik/Ilitch's Barstow project.

John Feliz and family members have frequently been employed by Doolittle, former Rep. Richard Pombo and a handful of other northern California based conservatives and their committees. John Feliz has been instrumental in raising money for Doolittle, Pombo and others but avoids reporting any contributions or lobbying activity associated with his name.

John Feliz founded a political consulting firm, Communications Consulting Group, twenty five years ago. CCG has offices at 1840 Westminster Ct., Carmichael, CA 95608.

You may also want to review these posts:

• Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project
• Veteran GOP operative steps in to helm Rep. Doolittle's staff
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• Alcalde is latest controversial player on the Ilitch/Malik DC Team
• Team Ilitch directed $40,000 to RICH Political Action Committee
• Detroit-based Barwest LLC fined $6,500 for violating CA Political Reform Act

Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project

Documents forwarded to TheVerifiableTruth.com (TVT) and written by Lansing-based attorneys for Barwest LLC during 2005, indicate John M. Feliz (John Feliz) -- a conservative California GOP political operative with ties to Rep. John Doolittle, former Rep. Richard Pombo, and their respective committees and allies -- has been affiliated with Barwest LLC and its partner the Big Lagoon Rancheria Indians.

Since 2002, Barwest LLC has developed and bankrolled plans to relocate an off-reservation tribal casino in Barstow, CA. In 2004 they agreed to partner with the Big Lagoon Rancheria Indians; the tribe's reservation is located on the northern coastline in Humboldt County more than 700 miles away from Barstow, CA.

Detroit based Barwest LLC's principals are Mrs. Marian Ilitch (along with her husband Mike Ilitch founded Little Caesars Pizza and also own the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, MotorCity Casino and a host of other sports, entertainment and dining ventures) and a developer turned casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr. The pair are also bankrolling off-reservation casino plans in Port Huron, MI and Hampton Bays, NY. Previously they backed and won approvals for Indian Casinos at the Bay Mills Indian Community and in Manistee, MI.

Feliz has not registered as a lobbyist in Sacramento or Washington D.C.; nor is there any public record to indicate his involvement with the Big Lagoon/Barwest effort. To date, he's attempted to fly under the radar; although, the documents TVT now has reveal Feliz is considered alongside the principals, partners and lawyers for Barwest LLC and its Native American partners.

In 2006, affiliates controlled by Michael Malik hired Feliz's son Daniel X. Feliz, to lobby in D.C. for their interests. Daniel "Dan" Feliz, an inexperienced rookie Capitol Hill lobbyist, represents clients including Blue Water Resorts, MJM Enterprises and the Shinnecock Indian Nation attempting to influence the outcome of Native American and Indian casino matters.

You may also want to review these posts:

• Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist, son of a Doolittle political operative, as “retired”
• Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project
• Veteran GOP operative steps in to helm Rep. Doolittle's staff
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• Alcalde is latest controversial player on the Ilitch/Malik DC Team
• Team Ilitch directed $40,000 to RICH Political Action Committee
• Detroit-based Barwest LLC fined $6,500 for violating CA Political Reform Act

John Doolittle, a D.C. lobbyist, a Detroit casino developer and a New York Indian Tribe

According to records filed with the Secretary of the U.S. Senate, Rick Alcalde’s lobbying firm Potomac Partners DC represents “MJM Enterprises” (aka MJM Enterprises Development Company), “a gaming development corporation,” on Gaming and Indian Affairs matters; specifically lobbying on “Bay Mills Tribe land claim settlement and Shinnecock Federal Tribe recognition.”

Shortly after forming Potomac Partners DC in 2005, Alcalde hired rookie lobbyist Daniel Feliz to represent MJM Enterprises (Bay Mills and Shinnecock tribal matters) and also the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Feliz is the son of Rep. John Doolittle's long time California political advisor John Feliz. Doolittle was then a member of the House Appropriations Committee. The elder Feliz was also a fund raiser and political campaign manager for former Rep. Richard Pombo and various Pombo affiliated committees -- Pombo was then chairman of the House Resources Committee. Another Feliz son, James Feliz (a student at University of the Pacific) was involved in the controversial recruitment of paid precinct walkers for the Pombo Campaign as reported in Roll Call last year.

Under a separate arrangement (outside of Potomac Partners), Blue Water Resorts retained young Daniel Feliz. Blue Water Resorts is affiliated with MJM Enterprises principal Michael J. Malik, Sr. and presumably involved with the Bay Mills Indian Tribe's plans to build a Port Huron Casino near the Blue Water International Border Crossing.

Blue Water Resorts retained Wheat Government Relations at the same time it engaged the younger Mr. Feliz.

In 2004 & 2005, controversial D.C. lobbyist Richard Kessler (president of the Ripon Society) was retained by Wheat Government Relations (also a lobbying firm) for representation on Indian Affairs and Indian Gaming matters.

Prior to engaging Alcalde & young Dan Feliz, Wheat Government Relations had primary lobbying responsibilities for Bay Mills & Shinnecock Indians as well as Blue Water Resorts. However, it is clear now that Wheat Government Relations was simply passing through lobbying fees to the Kessler firm at the time; enabling Kessler to avoid registering a direct relationship with the Bay Mills & Shinnecock tribes or their true financial partners. Curiously, Kessler noted on lobbying registration dislosures that his firm had been retained specifically to lobby on issues regarding a "Bay Mills/Shinnecock land swap."

Before MJM Enterprises was represented by Potomac Partners, controversial lobbyist turned PAC treasurer Barbara Bonfiglio had signed MJM Enterprises as a client of Williams & Jensen. Bonfiglio's other clients included Rep. Pombo, Rep. Jerry Lewis (then chair of House Appropriations), Tom DeLay, Rick Santorum and others. Both Bonfiglio and Richard Alcalde and their clients have come under fire because they created jobs and consulting gigs for Rep. Lewis' step-daughter Julie Willis-Leon, a Las Vegas resident, at the same time their clients had business before the House Appropriations Committee.

All in the shadow of convicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep

Richard “Rick” Alcalde is lobbyist for Michael J. Malik, Sr. and his Indian Casino partners the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Malik’s partner is Mrs. Marian Ilitch.

Lobbyist Richard Alcalde (Rick Alcalde), currently the principal at Potomac Partners D.C. contributed $8,500.00 to Members of Congress from January – March 2007. It’s not the amount that’s raising red flags, but the individual members of Congress to whom he wrote checks.

Among the six Members of the House he contributed to, Reps. Rick Renzi, John Doolittle, Jerry Lewis and Gary Miller have each been placed on a list of “The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress” by Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW).

FBI Investigators raided the Renzi family offices in Arizona and the Virginia home of John Doolittle in April. The pair has stepped down from some key committee assignments.

Former aides to or family members of Doolittle, Young, and Lewis are under investigation or have plead guilty to charges stemming from the Abramoff and Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham investigations. Neither Young nor Lewis have stepped down from any leadership positions.

Alcalde Contributions Jan – Mar 2007 ALASKANS FOR DON YOUNG INC. $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Don Young (R-AK) RICK RENZI FOR CONGRESS $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) JOHN T. DOOLITTLE FOR CONGRESS $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) CITIZENS FOR HARKIN $2,000.00 [View Image] Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN $1,000.00 [View Image] Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) MALONEY FOR CONGRESS $ 500.00 [View Image] Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) LEWIS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) GARY MILLER FOR CONGRESS $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA)

Detailed report compiled from PoliticalMoneyLine.com.

The Washington Post revealed that Alcalde had hired the stepdaughter of Rep. Lewis (she lives in Las Vegas) to provide counsel to Alcalde from time to time. And this past year, Alcalde hired the rookie son of Doolittle’s long-time political aide John Feliz to lobby for Native American casino interests (MJM Enterprises and the Shinnecock Indian Nation). The son, Daniel “Dan” Feliz, also has a side contract with Blue Water Resorts, another group tied to Indian casinos.

Alcalde has previous affiliation with the Federalist Group; Alcalde & Fay. He has also represented the Sault St Marie Tribe Chippewa Indians, Station Casinos, City of North Las Vegas, Nevada, City of Las Vegas, NV, Detroit International Bridge, Landon Companies (Daniel Aronoff) and others. Alcalde appears to have had some relationship with former PAC Treasurer/Lobbyist Barbara Bonfiglio (formerly of Williams & Jensen) who seems to have all but disappeared.

Alcalde is latest controversial player on the Ilitch/Malik DC Team

These details from opensecrets.org and the Center for Responsive Politics:

Richard Alcalde, long-time D.C. Lobbyist with ties to some of the most notorious Members of Congress including Rep. Don Young, Rep. Jerry Lewis, Rep. John Dolittle, Rep. Gary Miller, etc. was retained by Michael J. Malik, Sr. in 2005. Malik selected Alcalde after his then lobbyist Barbara Bonfiglio abruptly left her firm, Williams & Jensen, under a heavy cloud of suspicion tied to her additional role as PAC Treasurer for Tom DeLay, Rick Santorum, Richard Pombo and others.

Founded Potomac Partners D.C. in 2005.

Washington Post uncovers Alcalde hired Rep. Jerry Lewis step-daughter Julie Willis-Leon (she lives in Las Vegas) as a consultant and advisor to Alcalde's D.C. based lobbying firm while at the same time he has clients with matters before Rep. Lewis, then chair of House Appropriations.

Hires rookie son of Rep. Doolittle's longtime political aide John Feliz (the younger Daniel X. Feliz) to assist with representation for two of Potomac's biggest clients: MJM Enterprises Development Company (Malik); and Shinnecock Indian Nation (Malik's Partners). John Feliz was a central player in Rep. Richard's Pombo's re-election campaigns and was said to be one of Pombo's key fund raisers.

History of Political Contributions: $65,000 to Federal Candidates

Education

BA, Florida State University; JD, Texas A & M University

Controversial News Stories:

• Rep. Lewis' stepdaughter works for firm that lobbies his panel ...

• Relative of Hill Panel Chairman Scrutinized

Employment History
Period	Employer	Title	Additional Info
2001-2005	Federalist Group Revolving Door Personnel: (17)	Lobbyist	Firm lobbying profile
1998-2001	Alcalde & Fay Revolving Door Personnel: (18)	Lobbyist	Firm lobbying profile
Lobbying Firm Federal Government Private Sector

Team Ilitch directed $40,000 to RICH Political Action Committee

Detroit casino syndicators Marian Ilitch & Michael Malik, along with their partners, affiliates and lobbyists contributed $40,000 to Rep. Richard Pombo’s RICH Political Action Committee.

That’s two and a half times the combined $16,000 in contributions that got Ilitch and Malik two spots on RICH Pac’s “Top Ten List” (ahead of #10 Jack Abramoff)

1. Rick Kessler (Richard S. Kessler) & former Rep. Billy Evans of Kessler & Associates (K&A), contributed $3,000 to RICH PAC during 2004/05.
   
   Documents on file with the Secretary of the Senate indicate in 2003 and 2004, K&A was retained by Wheat Government Relations, the primary lobbyist for “Team Ilitch,” in an arrangement for K&A to handle gaming and Indian Country matters.
   
   Kessler & Associates was representing Team Ilitch’s interests in Washington, D.C. “under the radar.” Team Ilitch had officially hired Wheat Government Relations and Wheat, in turn, passed through fees retaining Kessler & Associates; to add further curiousity it looks like Wheat may have paid K&A more than Wheat was paid by his collective “Team Ilitch” clients.
   


2. George Baker and Susan Hirschman, Williams & Jensen (Barbara Bonfiglio) contributed $3887 from 2003-06. Bonfiglio, then RICH PAC treasurer, signed Malik (MJM Enterprises & Development) to a lobbying contract in September 2003 for representation on gaming matters. Bonfiglio’s firm was paid $220,000 for representation from 2003-2005.
   


3. Richard Alcalde, Federalist Group/Potomac Partners DC contributed $2,500 on December 7, 2005. By 2006, Ilitch/Malik and affiliates had terminated or mothballed the seven other lobbying firms that had represented their interests at some point since 2002 and placed all of "Team Ilitch's"needs in the hands of Alcalde (Potomac Partners DC) and rookie lobbyist Daniel X. Feliz who joined with Alcalde in 2006. Feliz had a stand alone contract with Michael Malik’s Blue Water Resorts earlier. Malik’s MJM Enterprises and the Shinnecock Indian Nation have retained Alcalde. For 2005 & 2006, Alcalde has been paid an average of $280,000 per year; that’s more than Team Ilitch had previously paid any of the seven other lobbying firms retained between 2002 and 2006.
   


4. Four partners at Mercury Public Affairs (Kieran V. Mahoney; Kirill Goncharenko; Gregory E. Strimple & Michael F. McKeon) contributed $13,000 to RICH PAC on December 7, 2005. There are no records filed with the Secretary of the Senate to suggest Mercury Public Affairs represents any affiliates of "Team Ilitch" in D.C.; however, documents on file in New York indicate the Shinnecock Nation Gaming Authority retained representation by Mercury Public Affairs in New York during 2005 and 2006 for fees of $240,000 per year.

There are no records to suggest anyone affiliated with Wheat Government Relations (the primary lobbying firm representing "Team Ilitch' interests since 2002) contributed to RICH PAC during the ’04 or ’06 cycles.

Team Ilitch and affiliates paid $2.5 million in lobbying fees to eight different lobbying firms including those highlighted here for representation on gaming and Indian matters since 2002; Wheat Government Relations was paid $1 million or 40% of the total lobbying fees. Wheat has not reported any representation of Team Ilitch interests in 2006.

Mike & Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr. contributed collectively $16,000 to RICH PAC and Robert G. “Bob” Guenthardt, Malik’s associate from the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians/Manistee Casino project contributed $1000.

Malik and Ilitch contributed enough to land them two spots (#5 & #9) on RICH PAC’s “Top 10” cumulative donor list, leapfrogging #10 Jack Abramoff; but it didn’t stop there.

Taken in context with contributions from these other Ilitch/Malik partners, agents and affiliates, collectively Team Ilitch contributed $40,000 or more to RICH PAC during the period Rep. Pombo served as Chairman of the House Resources Committee.

This should be taken in context with all of the other involvement Ilitch/Malik had with Pombo from 2004-2006, including: $26,600 delivered to the San Joaquin County GOP Committee; a two-day extravagant hosted $5,000 per person All-Star Game fundraiser in Detroit; two $25,000 contributions delivered to the RNC the day after the All-Star Game; and other gifts including travel.

Note: Under California's political reform laws, Barwest L.L.C. was to have reported the $26,600 contribution made 10/18/04 as a "major donor" in disclosure filings due January 31, 2005. No disclosures were filed. A second reporting period for major donor disclosures ended June 30, 2005. Again no disclosures were filed. Michael J. Malik, Sr. did not file disclosure documentation declaring Barwest L.L.C. a "major donor" until September, 5, 2005 -- nearly a year after making the curious contribution and almost nine months (and two reporting periods) after disclosures were required.

You may want to review these posts:
The Verifiable Truth: Motown's Team Ilitch tops Abramoff on Congressman's "Top 10 List"