Top lobbyist settles lengthy ethics case against him
An Annapolis Dispatch from the Baltimore Sun's Gadi Dechter
Annapolis lobbyist Bruce C. Bereano has settled a years-long fight over an alleged ethics violation by accepting an admonishment from the state ethics commission — but no formal finding of wrongdoing and no restrictions on his lucrative practice.
Under the settlement terms made public on Wednesday, Bereano agrees to reimburse the commission about $29,000 in expenses and is admonished to be more careful in how he crafts fee agreements with clients.
In 2002, the ethics panel ruled that Bereano had violated Maryland law by having a contingency agreement with one of his clients. The commission imposed a $5,000 fine and a 10-month suspension of Bereano’s license.
The lobbyist fought for years to clear his name, previously sullied by a 1994 mail fraud conviction. In March 2008, the state’s highest court reversed lower court rulings that upheld the sanctions against Bereano.
He declined to make any public comment on Wednesday.
The ethics investigation into Bereano’s lobbying practices followed articles in The Baltimore Sun that raised questions about a 2001 fee agreement with Pennsylvania-based Mercer Ventures Inc., which was then vying for government contracts for foster care services.
Throughout his appeals, Bereano has consistently remained one of top earners among Annapolis lobbyists. From November 2007 to October 2008, he received more than $800,000 in compensation, according to the most recently available public records.
-- Gadi Dechter
Comments
Bereano is useful to have in Annapolis. You can tell that whatever side he's on is the crooked one.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 29, 2009 8:48 PM
Its politics as usual in Maryland. As long as you are well connected in this state you never paid for getting caught doing wrong. Do politicans every paid for avoiding ethics and now we know their friends the lobbyist get the same treatment.
Posted by: Lintthicum Joe | April 29, 2009 8:51 PM
I wonder if Bruce has done anything to pay back the lobbyists who dropped a dime on him about that agreement.
Posted by: Jay | April 30, 2009 9:56 AM
HI David,
Will you (the Sun) provide a list of clients who used Mr Berano services and MD lawsmakers whom he had contact? ng:
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Waiting: Such a list is publically available on the Maryland ethics commission website. Lobbyists need to report their clients, and how much those clients have paid. The reports are a public record, and available electronically at this link -- http://ethics.gov.state.md.us/March-Loby09.pdf. A database that one needs to register to enter provides the dollar amounts.
-- David
Posted by: Waiting for the Sun to set | April 30, 2009 2:55 PM
Here's two lists of the law(s)makers who he has had contact:
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hseal.html
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/senal.html
Lobbyists talk to all legislators...no one can say they have never had to deal with him...now whether you take any of his advice or carry any water for him, that's a different story...
Posted by: to waiting... | May 1, 2009 5:25 PM
Hi David,
Thank you however the link provided is dead (error 404).
Would you (or Gadi) be able to provide the clients name whom he had a contingency agreement?
Posted by: Waiting for the Sun to Set | May 2, 2009 2:06 PM