The Payola Pundit
As Bob Ehrlich continues his extended flirtation with a possible run for Governor, it's important that the public take a good hard look at what he's been up to for the last four years. He's worked as a self-described "rain-maker" for a big North Carolina law firm, and he's worked as a paid pundit and talk show host in Baltimore. Unfortunately, it appears he may be illegally using his media appearances to help make money for his firm.
Yesterday, the Maryland Democratic Party submitted to the Federal Communications Commission a request for investigation of FOX 45 TV and Robert Ehrlich, Jr., for violations of the FCC’s “Payola Rules.”
In 2009, Ehrlich was paid to promote the position of one of his clients on a highly controversial issue in Maryland: the awarding of a license for a slots machine facility. Mr. Ehrlich promoted that position in the course of a broadcast program on which he regularly appears on WBFF-Fox 45 TV, in Baltimore, Maryland. However, there was no disclosure at all to viewers, either by Mr. Ehrlich or by the station, of the payment made to Mr. Ehrlich to promote his client’s position in the broadcast.
Federal Communications Commission payola rules require he disclose his firm's interests to avoid the appearance of neutrality, which clearly did not exist. Mr. Ehrlich clearly did not disclose this conflict during the broadcast.
When initially questioned about the complaint, Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell said that our “allegations didn't deserve the dignity of a response," but later admitted he didn't know whether they had disclosed that Ehrlich had a financial stake before pushing his client's position.
Meanwhile, FOX 45 TV is “looking into it” and has indicated that its findings would be aired on the station.
Ehrlich needs to answer whether he put his firm's financial gain ahead of the public trust. If he didn't violate FCC rules, he needs to tell us that. If he did violate FCC rules, he needs to own up to it. What is he hiding? What does he know that he is refusing to share with the people of Maryland? Are there other instances where he promoted clients over the airwaves without properly disclosing the relationship?
It's inappropriate for Bob Ehrlich to use his regular appearances on television and radio to promote his firm's clients. It violates the public trust; and as a former public official, he should know better.
As he seeks to re-enter public life and seek public office, Bob Ehrlich needs to come clean about his questionable and possibly illegal activity.
Posted by: Travis Tazelaar
UPDATE:
MORE EVIDENCE SURFACES THAT EHRLICH HABITUALLY VIOLATED FCC ‘PAYOLA’ RULES ON BEHALF OF LOBBYING CLIENTS
Audio:
The Maryland Democratic Party today submitted more evidence for its FCC complaint against former Governor Robert Ehrlich. This new information indicates that Ehrlich is making a habit of violating the Commission’s “payola” rules by promoting his special interest clients on broadcast programs, while concealing those payments from his listening public.
Ehrlich used his radio show to repeatedly criticize an obscure provision in the federal health care reform legislation then pending before the Congress. That provision imposes a national sales tax on sales of certain medical devices. In October, Ehrlich said on the air that “Within this bill there is a new tax on medical device makers… The last thing we should be doing in this society today, by the way, is providing disincentives to those inventors who make devices that allow us to live longer.”
What Ehrlich failed to disclose during that broadcast is that several of his special interest clients include a number of medical device companies. This partial list of clients was just released this week.
The Maryland Democratic Party is asking the FCC to include this new evidence in its “payola” investigation involving the former Governor, as well as a response from Ehrlich’s legal team regarding the violation.
Bob Ehrlich the Lobbyist has released only a partial list of his clients, and he has refused to release what he did for those lobbying clients. Based on what we know so far, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg, Bob Ehrlich the Lobbyist used his radio show to promote his clients, which is unethical and possibly illegal. At a time when the public demands greater accountability from public officials, Bob Ehrlich’s behavior clearly seems to be a violation of the public trust for personal financial gain. We look forward to a prompt response from his lawyers to this new information.”
