Monday December 29, 2008
It’s a lot of money for a golf game, for a certain strata of wealthy developer, it’s just the cost of doing business.
The Office of State Ethics just announced a $2,000 settlement with Robert V. Matthews, the New Haven developer, now residing in Florida. The penalty was for failing to file as a lobbyist registration and “for entering into a contract that was contingent upon the outcome of a lobbying effort.” It dates back to the fall of 2000, after Matthews agreed to register Pinnacle Foods,Inc. for stock shares in return for his contacts with state officials who could procure funding for the company.
“Matthews, a friend of Governor Rowland, lobbied the Governor during a golf outing,” the OSE announced today, although the agreement was signed in mid-November.
Matthews, citing a 25-year friendship with the crooked former governor, said he was unaware that what he did was illegal.
“You do not have to show up in the halls of the Capitol building to lobby,” said OSE Executive Director, Carol Carson. “If you are attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, you are lobbying.”