Ballard Spahr And Gov. Rendell: An Intimate Relationship

The Philadelphia Bulletin ^ | 16 Jan 2009 | Chris Friend

[grace522]

Ballard Spahr And Gov. Rendell: An Intimate Relationship

By Chris Freind, The Bulletin Published: Friday, January 16, 2009 Ballad Spahr is Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell’s former firm. Numerous partners at the firm maintain intimate relationships with the governor. Brothers-in-law John Estey and Adrian King Jr., both partners at Ballard, served as chief of staff and Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr. Rendell, respectively, and have contributed $35,000 to his campaigns.

Ken Jarin, another Ballard partner, is listed as the “relationship partner” on the $773,000 Turnpike project. He is a longtime confidante and fundraiser to Mr. Rendell, having contributed $90,000 to the Governor’s coffers. He also serves as treasurer to the Democratic Governor’s Association, an entity that has contributed nearly $1.5 million to Rendell. Mr. Jarin is married to Robin Wiessmann, the outgoing state treasurer. Her office approved and issued payment for the Ballard invoices.

And Ballard Chairman Arthur Makadon, a close friend to the governor, has contributed $87,500 to his campaigns.

The Ballard firm, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), contributed $481,000 to Gov. Rendell’s campaigns. The Philadelphia Future Political Action Committee (PAC), registered at the Ballard offices in Philadelphia and whose treasurer is David Cohen, former Ballard Chairman and former chief of staff to then-Mayor Rendell, contributed $470,000. Mr. Cohen donated $80,000, and his wife, Rhonda, has contributed $156,000 to the Mr. Rendell campaign efforts. Ballard associates contributed nearly a half million more dollars to Mr. Rendell. There is no limit to how much an individual or an LLP can contribute to state candidates. The majority of law firms are LLPs.

Additionally, Pennsylvania Department of State campaign filings list the address of Gov. Rendell’s campaign treasurer as the 51st Floor of 1735 Market Street in Philadelphia. Ballard Spahr occupies the entire floor.

Chris Freind can be reached at CF@TheBulletin.us

[grace522]

This is what counts as good government these days. Fast Eddie's way of "stimulating" the legal economy.......and his campaign coffers of course.