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.