Intentional or not? Tribe's seasoned D.C. lobbyist has a history of negligent, delayed reporting

Consider that Richard Alcalde (aka Rick Alcalde) has been a D.C. lobbyist for more than a decade.

On 2.16.06, Potomac Partners D.C., a lobbying firm founded by Richard Alcalde, formally filed a lobbying registration form revealing it had been representing the Shinnecock Indian Nation for more than 10 months. Alcalde indicated on that registration form that the firm was not being paid by any affiliated organization to represent the tribe.

Potomac Partners D.C. then late-filed, on 3.02.06, both its Mid-Year 2005 and Year-End 2005 reports of lobbying activity on behalf of the Shinnecock which totaled $120,000 in payments.

And then, more than three years after Alcalde (Potomac Partners) was hired to represent the Shinnecock Indian Nation, Alcalde amended the original registration form to indicate that an affiliate of the tribe, Gateway Casino Resorts, was paying the tribes bills and directing its lobbying activity.

Based on details available at OpenSecrets.org -- and the reliability of Alcalde's disclosures -- Alcalde and his firm Potomac Partners D.C. have been paid $430,000 to represent the Shinnecock starting in 2005.

Detroit-based Gateway Casino Resorts is one of several entities formed by Michael Malik and Mrs. Marian Ilitch to bankroll the Shinnecock tribe’s efforts to receive federal recognition and then build a casino resort on Long Island. Potomac Partners D.C. and its lobbyists (Alcalde and Daniel Feliz) have represented other Malik/Ilitch affiliates as well: MJM Enterprises & Development and Blue Water Resorts.

In recent years, Acalde has found himself in the middle of several Capitol Hill scandals involving Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK). Notably Alcalde is at the middle of an ongoing investigation into a $10 million highway earmark for a Florida interchange (Coconut Rd.) reportedly carried by Young. That scandal involves Alcalde’s clients including Daniel J. Aronoff; Aronoff’s Landon Companies and its associates; Florida Gulf Coast University; and others. As TPMmuckraker.com and the Wall Street Journal reported, Alcalde is one of Young's "A-Team" of lobbyists who are to be granted unfettered access to Young's staff.

Young was the former chair of the House Resources Committee and until recently was ranking member of that committee which oversees Indian matters.

Lobbyists pushing casino related bill previously rejected in the House of Representatives

Although H.R. 2176 was overwhelmingly defeated in the U.S. House of Representatives on 6.25.08 (2nd Quarter '08):

• Blue Water Resorts, LLC, paid $40,000 to Wheat Government Relations to lobby in support of H.R. 2176 during the 3rd Quarter '08.



• Blue Water Resorts, LLC, engaged Dykema Gossett in 3rd Quarter '08 to lobby in support of H.R. 2176.



• Patton Boggs LLP, Zell & Cox P.C., and Wheat Government Relations all filed 3rd Quarter '08 lobbying disclosures indicating they were pushing support for the passage of H.R. 2176 on behalf of the Bay Mills Indian Community. Wheat reports being paid $20,000 during the 3rd Quarter but failed to report whether or not an affiliate, Blue Water Resorts, was paying the tribe's bill.



• Franklin Creek Consulting and Potomac Partners DC reported they had lobbied on behalf of MJM Enterprises in support of legislation to support the land claims settlements described in H.R. 2176. Potomac Partners reported being paid $10,000 by MJM Enterprises but failed to disclose whether or not affiliate Blue Water Resorts was paying MJM's lobbying bills.

Sources: OpenSecrets.org; Lobbying Disclosure Act Data Base

Amended D.C. lobbying reports show payments were made by Detroit casino syndicators

Now that the House of Representatives has rejected the Bay Mills Indian Community's plans for a Port Huron casino, D.C. lobbying firm Akerman Senterfitt has filed an amended lobbying registration form revealing that bills for its client Bay Mills Indian Community are being paid Blue Water Resorts, an enterprise controlled by Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr.

Another firm, Potomac Partners DC (lobbyists Richard Alcalde and Daniel Feliz) filed a similar amendment in April indicating Blue Water Resorts was paying the lobbying bills for Potomac Partners DC's client MJM Enterprises, also an entity controlled by Malik.

Blue Water Resorts was formed by Malik in 2001. Malik's business partner includes Mrs. Marian Ilitch, owner of Detroit's MotorCity Casino, Detroit Red Wings and Little Caesars Pizza.

D.C. Lobbyist Alcalde made $25k in contributions using four different employers

D.C. lobbyist Richard Alcalde (Rick Alcalde) formed his lobbying firm Potomac Partners D.C. in the Spring 2005. However, according to CampaignMoney.com, since then he's contributed more than $25,000 to federal campaigns and PACs which list his employer/occupation as:

• Alcalde & Fay/owner or attorney
• Federalist Group/attorney or owner or partner or associate
• Hall Green Rupli LLC/lobbyist
• Potomac Partners DC/executive or president or partner or attorney or consultant or government affairs

Alcalde has been identified as one of Rep. Don Young's "A-Team" lobbyists. Alcalde is at the center of a Justice Department investigation surrounding Young's 2005 $10 million Coconut Road earmark. Alcalde had two clients involved in the circumstances surround the earmark: Michigan developer Daniel J. Aronoff (Landon Companies) and Florida Gulf Coast University.

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."

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

Ilitch & Troha families responsible for 70% of the money Rep Don Young (R-AK) took in on his best fundraising day of the entire 2006 campaign

Alaska’s only Member of the House of Representatives Don Young had his best fundraising day of the 2006 campaign on May 23, 2005, as reported by PoliticalMoneyLine for Congressional Quarterly (see chart below). On that day, Young’s political committee made $58.000.00. The bulk of the money came from two families – each making aggressive moves to expand the gambling operations that are part of their vast privately held empires.

The Detroit, Michigan based family of Mike & Marian Ilitch and their associates contributed at least $18,000 that day (9 individual contributions). Ilitch Holdings include Little Caesars Enterprises, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and MotorCity Casino. To expand their empire of restaurant and entertainment holdings they have been aggressively pursuing (bankrolling) “off-reservation” gambling operations with tribes in Michigan, New York and California for more than a decade.

Richard Alcalde, a principal lobbyist with the Potomac Partners, D.C., and then a new lobbyist for Ilitch Family interests was one of the 58 contributors to Rep. Young that day too.

The Kenosha, Wisconsin based family of Dennis Troha and their associates contributed $22,000 (11 individual contributions). The Troha Family fortune was built in trucking and Troha is legendary for his union busting activities. Their companies include John Houston Corporation & Transport Venture (JHT) and Auto Truck Transport Corporation (ATC). He too has been aggressively bankrolling Indian casino projects including an $808 million casino with the Menominee Tribe.

Troha was indicted on March 1, 2007 and charged with illegally funneling $100,000 in contributions through his children to the campaign of Gov. Jim Doyle and other political funds and then lying about it to the FBI; activity said to be an attempt to influence approval of the Menominee Tribe casino.

Together the Ilitch and Troha Families and their closest associates contributed $40,000 to Rep. Young’s committee -- 70% of the total money raised on Young’s biggest fundraising day of the 2006 election cycle. The largest single checks ($2,100 each) came from Ilitch Family members and Michael J. Malik, Sr., their casino syndication associate.

Young, is currently the ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee since Rep. Richard Pombo failed to win re-election.

Rep. Don Young (R-AK)

Top 10 Contributions by Date From Individuals 2006 Election Cycle (as reported by filer)
1.	5/23/2005	$58,000.00	35
2.	3/11/2005	$47,050.00	59
3.	8/3/2006	$43,770.00	91
4.	3/10/2005	$42,550.00	61
5.	9/14/2006	$41,700.00	68
6.	9/19/2005	$41,449.00	82
7.	3/23/2005	$33,100.00	62
8.	3/9/2005	$29,976.00	44
9.	8/5/2005	$29,100.00	47
10.	5/24/2005	$27,946.00	59
more...

From PoliticalMoneyLine for Congressional Quarterly

Ilitch partners and affiliates near $3 million in Capitol Hill lobbying expenses

Various Ilitch/Malik Backed Partnerships

Federal Lobbying Expenditures 2002 - 2006

		2002-2006 5 yr total
Barwest		$80,000
Bay Mills Indian Community		$1,020,000
Blue Water Resorts		$200,000
Gateway Casino Resorts		$360,000
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians		$280,000
MJM Enterprises & Development		$420,000
Shinnecock Indian Nation		$460,000
Total		$2,820,000

NOTE: Includes disclosure reports through mid-year 2006 available online from

the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records. Click on the “client” names above to

see more detailed disclosure documentation

Ilitch syndicates near $3 million lobbying for casinos on Capitol Hill

Various Ilitch/Malik (Team Ilitch) Partners & Affiliates Federal Lobbying Expenditures 2002 - 2006

		2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	5 yr total
Barwest		$0	$0	$0	$80,000	$0	$80,000
Bay Mills Indian Community		$280,000	$360,000	$260,000	$80,000	$40,000	$1,020,000
Blue Water Resorts		$0	$0	$60,000	$20,000	$120,000	$200,000
Gateway Casino Resorts		$0	$0	$60,000	$200,000	$100,000	$360,000
Little River Band of Indians		$40,000	$80,000	$80,000	$80,000	$0	$280,000
MJM Enterprises & Development		$0	$60,000	$160,000	$120,000	$80,000	$420,000
Shinnecock Indian Nation		$0	$0	$220,000	$160,000	$80,000	$460,000
Total		$320,000	$500,000	$840,000	$740,000	$420,000	$2,820,000

Source: as of January 15, 2007, U.S. Senate Office of Public Records;

http://sopr.senate.gov/cgi-win/m_opr_viewer.exe?DoFn=0.

The Center for Responsive Politics; http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/index.asp.

The Center for Public Integrity; http://www.publicintegrity.org/lobby.

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"