April 18, 2006

Last week, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield banned city officials from contacting Michael Weber. Today, the reporter struck back with a story that appears to explain the Mayor's disgraceful assault on Tennessee's Sunshine Law.

Mayor Littlefield hired his former campaign manager, Duane Smith, as a $90,000 lobbyist for the city. On top of that, Smith had apparently been working without registering with the state until the newspaper began investigating.

Mr. Smith is working under a subcontract with Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm Akerman Senterfitt, which the city hired last September under a $15,000-per-month, or $180,000 a year, contract.

According to Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Smith, the Akerman Senterf itt f irm then hired Mr. Smith to lobby in Nashville and to work as a liaison with Akerman Senterf itt’s Washington lobbyist Richard Spees.

Mr. Spees referred questions to city officials about how much Mr. Smith is being paid. The mayor said he did not know.

Mr. Smith declined to say, noting "that’s really a private matter between me and the firm." But he said some of the information would be available under new lobbying disclosure laws.

Mayoral spokeswoman Michelle Michaud later said Mr. Smith effectively is being paid $90,000 a year. It was unclear whether that would include expenses.
[Lobbyist for city not registered - Chattanooga Times Free Press - 04-18-06]