Once a Lobbyist Always a Lobbyist: John Gregg Has Yet to Come Clean with Hoosiers About His Background of Self-Enrichment
Oct 17, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristen Williams, 317-964-5027, k[email protected]
Date: October 17, 2016
Once a Lobbyist Always a Lobbyist:
John Gregg Has Yet to Come Clean with Hoosiers About His Background of Self-Enrichment
#InsiderJohn Should Come Clean About His Insider Status
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Both before and after John Gregg served his stint in the Indiana House of Representatives, including the six years he took Indiana from surplus to deficit as speaker, he was a lobbyist.
“John Gregg is the human embodiment of the ‘revolving door,’ said Indiana Republican Party State Chairman Jeff Cardwell. “He’s gone round and round as lobbyist to politician to lobbyist and back to politician even though he pledged to not return to lobbying after he hightailed it out of the Statehouse.”
Cardwell added, “While he continually tells Hoosiers he only aims to serve, he forgets to mention that he’s best at serving himself.”
Before and After Gregg was in Elective Office, He was a Registered Lobbyist
Gregg Cut His Political Teeth As a Lobbyist Before Running for Office. Prior to his first election to the Indiana House of Representatives, John Gregg was a lobbyist for various interests. “Gregg got his start in politics lobbying state lawmakers for AMAX Coal company while finishing law school.” (“Giving up the gavel House Speaker John Gregg foregoing powerful post for family,” Evansville Courier & Press, 10/19/02)
Upon Leaving the House, He Pledged To Not Return to His Lobbyist Roots
Heading Back Through the Revolving Door Was Not in the Cards, Gregg Said. “Gregg said he will not return to the way he got his start in politics, as a lobbyist. ‘There’s something about taking you out and paying for dinner that doesn’t excite me.’” (Shannon Lohrmann, “Politicking to fill speaker post beings,” Journal and Courier, 2/8/02)
Gregg Reassured Colleagues He Wouldn’t “Be Lobbying Up Here” Upon Leaving the House.“Despite being overwhelmed by emotion, Gregg joked that although he would remain speaker through this session and the November election, there ‘are probably 52 of you right now on the Democrat side thinking of running for the speaker post after that.’ “I won’t be lobbying up here, so there is nothing to worry about that,’ Gregg said, drawing laughs.” (Mike Smith, “House Speaker John Gregg will not seek re-election,” Associated Press, 2/5/02)
In His Book, From Sandborn to the Statehouse, Gregg Made the Case for His Return to Lobbying
Lobbyists Work “Really Hard,” Gregg Wrote. In his book, Gregg wrote, “I always said the difference between lobbyists and legislators is that legislators spend millions and lobbyists make millions. That’s not quite true, but there are many lobbyists who make a good living. And they work really hard.” (John Gregg, “From Sandborn to the Statehouse,” p. 142)
Lobbyists Represent People “Just Like You and Me.” Gregg insisted in his book, “There’s nothing really wrong with lobbyists or being a lobbyist. They get a bum rap; they’re good people who like the legislative process and represent people just like you and me.” (John Gregg, “From Sandborn to the Statehouse,” p. 142)
Lobbyists Provide a “Valuable Service By Representing Constituents.” Gregg went so far as to paint the lobbying profession in glowing terms, writing, “As I said, lobbyists provide a valuable service by representing constituencies that every legislator represents.” (John Gregg, “From Sandborn to the Statehouse,” p. 143)
Shortly After, John Gregg Became a Registered Lobbyist - Again
Gregg Worked “As a Registered Lobbyist” After Leaving the House. “Gregg has been out of politics since leaving the speaker’s podium in 2002, spending much of that time working as a registered lobbyist in a Vincennes office for the law firm of Bingham McHale, which also has offices in Indianapolis and Jasper.” (Eric Bradner, “Dems’ pick uncertain as Pence starts race,” Evansville Courier & Press, 5/6/11)
Lobbyist Gregg Was “Associated With Topics Including Government, Alcoholic Beverages, Gaming, Finance, Taxes and Legislative Ethics.” The Associated Press reported: “Lobbying records show [Gregg is] associated with topics including government, alcoholic beverages, gaming, finance, taxes and legislative ethics, though no expenditures or gifts to lawmakers are listed.” (Deanna Martin, “Gregg’s lobbying record doesn’t worry Democrats,” Associated Press, 5/17/11)
“John Gregg is the human embodiment of the ‘revolving door,’ said Indiana Republican Party State Chairman Jeff Cardwell. “He’s gone round and round as lobbyist to politician to lobbyist and back to politician even though he pledged to not return to lobbying after he hightailed it out of the Statehouse.”
Cardwell added, “While he continually tells Hoosiers he only aims to serve, he forgets to mention that he’s best at serving himself.”
Before and After Gregg was in Elective Office, He was a Registered Lobbyist
Gregg Cut His Political Teeth As a Lobbyist Before Running for Office. Prior to his first election to the Indiana House of Representatives, John Gregg was a lobbyist for various interests. “Gregg got his start in politics lobbying state lawmakers for AMAX Coal company while finishing law school.” (“Giving up the gavel House Speaker John Gregg foregoing powerful post for family,” Evansville Courier & Press, 10/19/02)
Upon Leaving the House, He Pledged To Not Return to His Lobbyist Roots
Heading Back Through the Revolving Door Was Not in the Cards, Gregg Said. “Gregg said he will not return to the way he got his start in politics, as a lobbyist. ‘There’s something about taking you out and paying for dinner that doesn’t excite me.’” (Shannon Lohrmann, “Politicking to fill speaker post beings,” Journal and Courier, 2/8/02)
Gregg Reassured Colleagues He Wouldn’t “Be Lobbying Up Here” Upon Leaving the House.“Despite being overwhelmed by emotion, Gregg joked that although he would remain speaker through this session and the November election, there ‘are probably 52 of you right now on the Democrat side thinking of running for the speaker post after that.’ “I won’t be lobbying up here, so there is nothing to worry about that,’ Gregg said, drawing laughs.” (Mike Smith, “House Speaker John Gregg will not seek re-election,” Associated Press, 2/5/02)
In His Book, From Sandborn to the Statehouse, Gregg Made the Case for His Return to Lobbying
Lobbyists Work “Really Hard,” Gregg Wrote. In his book, Gregg wrote, “I always said the difference between lobbyists and legislators is that legislators spend millions and lobbyists make millions. That’s not quite true, but there are many lobbyists who make a good living. And they work really hard.” (John Gregg, “From Sandborn to the Statehouse,” p. 142)
Lobbyists Represent People “Just Like You and Me.” Gregg insisted in his book, “There’s nothing really wrong with lobbyists or being a lobbyist. They get a bum rap; they’re good people who like the legislative process and represent people just like you and me.” (John Gregg, “From Sandborn to the Statehouse,” p. 142)
Lobbyists Provide a “Valuable Service By Representing Constituents.” Gregg went so far as to paint the lobbying profession in glowing terms, writing, “As I said, lobbyists provide a valuable service by representing constituencies that every legislator represents.” (John Gregg, “From Sandborn to the Statehouse,” p. 143)
Shortly After, John Gregg Became a Registered Lobbyist - Again
Gregg Worked “As a Registered Lobbyist” After Leaving the House. “Gregg has been out of politics since leaving the speaker’s podium in 2002, spending much of that time working as a registered lobbyist in a Vincennes office for the law firm of Bingham McHale, which also has offices in Indianapolis and Jasper.” (Eric Bradner, “Dems’ pick uncertain as Pence starts race,” Evansville Courier & Press, 5/6/11)
Lobbyist Gregg Was “Associated With Topics Including Government, Alcoholic Beverages, Gaming, Finance, Taxes and Legislative Ethics.” The Associated Press reported: “Lobbying records show [Gregg is] associated with topics including government, alcoholic beverages, gaming, finance, taxes and legislative ethics, though no expenditures or gifts to lawmakers are listed.” (Deanna Martin, “Gregg’s lobbying record doesn’t worry Democrats,” Associated Press, 5/17/11)
-30-
Sign Up for Updates
