An incumbent legislator who is employed as a lobbyist is shady enough, though the Florida Ethics Commission assures me it's legal in Joe's case, simply because he hasn't registered at the state level (he is registered on the county level).
However, Abruzzo is listed on his firm's website (http://www.weisshandler.com/weiss-handler-attorneys.asp) as the SOLE "Government Relations and Public Policy Consultant." His firm DOES lobby at the state level, stating on its website that it provides "the most effective representation before the judicial, legislative, and executive branches, including the Governor and Cabinet."
Additionally, Joe accepts campaign help from the firm. On July 1, 2012, the firm made an in-kind contribution to Joe's campaign in the amount of $324 for "Express Mail." In short, Joe Abruzzo is a state official employed by a lobbyist of the state that helps him and his campaign financially. How could his firm NOT influence his decision making in Tallahassee? How can this be right?
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