Saudi Arabia has been under intense scrutiny for the disappearance and alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at…
Saudi Arabia has been under intense scrutiny for the disappearance and alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at their lobbying payroll.
The Middle East nation is still shelling out nearly $6 million a year to engage US officials and promote itself as a more progressive nation — despite losing the support of three major lobbying firms, according to the Associated Press.
One company, MSL Group, reportedly receives a monthly retainer of $279,500 for providing “public relations and other assistance.”
The Colorado-based Brownstein Hyatt Farber Shreck LLP is said to have a $125,000-a-month contract, and has “no plans to alter it,” according to the AP, citing a person familiar with the arrangement.
The managing partner of the company’s Washington office is reportedly Marc Lampkin, a former aide to Republican lawmakers and President Trump fundraiser.
Another firm that’s sticking to its guns is the McKeon Group, which rakes in $50,000 a month for a “comprehensive government relations strategy and plan of execution,” according to a June 5 letter, which was obtained by the AP.
The company is run by Howard “Buck” McKeon, the retired Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee.
Washington attorney and former US solicitor general Ted Olson is also reportedly in bed with the Saudis to the tune of $250,000. He agreed to the flat fee in exchange for legal analysis, the AP reports.
Olson’s lobbying firm — Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher — did not return the outlet’s calls for comment. Brownstein and the McKeon Group didn’t respond, either.
MSL Group, on the other hand, said it was “very concerned about the developing situation” with Khashoggi.
“We take the situation very seriously and will make appropriate decisions once all the facts are known,” a spokesperson said.
With Post wires
