The District Attorney’s office is now getting involved in an investigation of a fracas at a fundraiser for California House candidate Francine Busby, reports the San Diego Tribune:

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said yesterday that her office will review the Sheriff’s Department investigation to determine if charges are warranted against Shari Barman, 60, and Pam Morgan, 62.

“We will look at all the facts and circumstances and conduct further interviews of witnesses as needed,” Dumanis said in a statement.

Busby, meanwhile, wants to know who made what she describes as a “politically motivated” noise complaint that led to the arrests and a sheriff’s deputy using pepper spray on guests at the fundraiser.

About 50 people attended the event at a home in a swanky section of town, according to the paper. Attendees said a heckler hiding behind some bushes shouted obscenities while Busby trited to talk. The sherrif’s office later arrived after the noise complaint. From there the accounts are heated, with the hosts of the fundraiser saying that the sheriff asked unwarranted questions and then sprayed pepper spray. The sherrif reported he felt “threatened”:

The event ended in chaos. Barman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer and battery on a peace officer. Morgan was arrested and cited on similar charges at the Encinitas sheriff’s station. A sergeant, six deputies including a canine unit, a helicopter and a firetruck responded to Abbott’s call for backup.

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Congressional Democrats are finding a way around President Barack Obama’s ban on lobbyist contributions, reports Jonathan Martin in Politico today.

Obama is speaking at a dinner tonight at the Mandarin Hotel for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). In the past this dinner has brought in big lobbyist bucks. But because Obama will be there, the committees won’t be taking lobbyist contributions for the event.

However, lobbyist money will be welcome the next morning at a $5,000-per-head “issues” conference featuring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and a variety of committee chairmen. (We don’t have copies of these invitations in our database. If you have them, please send them to us here.)

Reports Politico:

Obama refuses to appear at fundraising events where lobbyists are allowed to contribute money, so the Democrats can’t collect lobbyists’ cash at Thursday night’s dinner. But since the president won’t be at the morning-after event, congressional Democrats will be free to collect the lobbying dollars then that they couldn’t take the night before.

This seems the very definition of violating the spirit of the lobbyist contribution ban–and the piece quotes some anonymous Democratic sources saying it’s Obama’s fault for not reining the Dems in.

Yet at the same time, more anonymous Democratic insiders are quoted griping because the White House won’t help raise lobbyist cash. One says Obama should be leaning on surrogate organizations to send out fundraising alerts. Another points out that the lobbyist money ban puts the committees in a bind:

“It’s kind of like going to Los Angeles and then excluding the entertainment industry,” said a senior Democrat. “Well, then you’re going to have a lame event.”

Seems like Obama’s getting the worst of both worlds right now. He’s getting the blame both because his lobbyist money ban is too weak–and because he won’t pull out the stops to get lobbyist money.

A self-proclaimed lobbyist for an alternative health organization–who left a prominent conservative group more than a decade ago under a cloud of financial mismanagement–is hosting a fundraiser next week for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Grassley, who recently earned fame for his tweets on health care, has a reputation as a strong crusader for drug safety. But he has also has championed policies favoring the alternative health industry, which some consumer critics charge is not adequately regulated by the federal government.

Sam Brunelli, who works for the Whitaker Health Freedom Foundation, the political arm of the Freedom of Health Foundation, and his wife, Robin Read, are feting Grassley at a breakfast on June 24 at the Capitol Hill Club. The Foundation, headed by Dr. Julian Whitaker of dietary supplement fame, states it opposes the government and the pharmaceutical industry whenever they “suppress the truth about alternative medical therapies and/or nutritional supplementation.” Read is president and CEO of the Foundation for Women Legislators, which includes Dr. Whitaker on its board. The Freedom of Health Foundation did not return a call inquiring about the event.

Brunelli is introduced as a lobbyist on the organization’s Web site, here; however there are no official records of his work at least as a federal lobbyist here, according to lobbyist disclosure reports. The most recent available tax forms filed by the Whitaker Health Freedom Foundation, the political arm, claim a budget of just $34,000 and make no mention of payments to staff. (See the organization’s 1998 990 form here.)

Brunelli formerly served as executive director of the conservative group the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which works to advance conservative state legislators. He left the group in 1995 over charges of mismanagement and personal enrichment, according to a 1995 National Journal report.

Grassley goes to bat for alternative health care therapies

Grassley has earned a reputation as an active watchdog of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pushing to strengthen the agency’s regulation of pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices and arguing for tough conflict-of-interest laws for researchers. Indeed he won an award this year from the National Research Center for Women & Families because “his willingness to challenge the FDA has saved the lives of adults and children by helping remove unsafe medical products from the market.”

However, Grassley also has long been a supporter of alternative health care therapies and has enjoyed support from the “health freedom” movement, which opposes strong regulation of supplements.

In 1994, Grassley co-sponsored a law championed by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act. This law established the U.S. Food and Drug Administation’s (FDA) authority to regulate dietary supplements–but as a food rather than a drug. This means supplements can be marketed without any requirements that they first be proven safe or effective, as pharmaceuticals must be.

After much national attention about the dietary supplement ephedra, which was linked to injuries and deaths, Congress in 2006 passed a law to require that dietary supplement manufacturers report adverse effects–which passed the Senate by unanimous consent. (Public Law No: 109-462). However, the FDA still lacks the resources and authority to protect consumers from unsafe dietary supplements, according to a May 2009 GAO report.

Grassley has also earned plaudits from the alternative health community for co-sponsoring legislation to permit doctors to use any treatment a patient wants–including unapproved therapies or medications. (S 2618, 2006). And he’s gotten cheers from the American Chiropractic Association for serving as “one of chiropractic’s strongest allies.”

In 1998, the senator co-sponsored legislation to expand an alternative health care program at the National Institutes of Health; the new office became known as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.  (S. 2420, funded as part of omnibus spending bill, H.R.4328) Since 1999, the office has spent $2.5 billion on studies exploring such topics as the effectiveness of ginkgo biloba for improving memory and shark cartilage for treating cancer. (Neither proved any better than placebos).

Grassley has managed to secure some money from the center for projects in his home state of Iowa. In 2007, he announced that the NIH office was giving $191,672 to Drake University for a project called “Reproductive and Behavioral Effects of Genistein,” which is exploring whether soy products eaten by pregnant women have a harmful effect on male fetal development. Another grant, for $110, 592, went to the Palmer College of Chriopractic in Davenport, for a project called “Expanding [Evidence Based Medicine] and Research Across the Palmer College of Chiropractic.” In 2002, the senator helped steer $110,250 to the University of Iowa to study the “neurobiology of joint manipulation induced analgesia,” as reported by the Associated Press. (Translation: that means pain relief from manipulating the body rather than using drugs.)

Unlike Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who are also champions of the alternative health industry, Grassley has not collected large amounts in campaign contributions from the nutritional and dietary supplement industries in the past, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

[Intern Josh Heath contributed research to this post.]

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is canceling a fundraiser this Wednesday after a flap when it became public that the lobbyist host, Heather Podesta, had advertised the work of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as the “first course” at the event. (Heather and her husband, Tony, are prolific fundraisers.)

Podesta reportedly wrote in an e-mail note attached to the formal invitation that donors who gave between $1,000 and $2,500 could order up “the Select Committee on Intelligence for the first course.” (We have mention of the event in our database, but not the actual email reported in the press.)

Feinstein’s spokesperson explained the cancellation this way:

“It was obvious that this would be subject to misinterpretation by some, and it was canceled to avoid any misinterpretation,” said Gil Duran, a spokesman for the senator. “No contributions were received, so there is nothing to return.”

Funny what a little sunlight will do. Of course it’s extremely common for fundraising invitations to include mention of lawmakers’ committee assignments.

Check out this event today for Rep. Pete King (R-NY), pointing out that he’s ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee and also serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

And this one, also for an event today, for Sen. Dan Boren (D-OK) mentions that he’s a member of the Blue Dog Coalition–and the House Committee on Natural Resources & Select Intelligence.

The fact is, if every politician who flagged his or her committee assignments were to cancel their fundraisers–well, there wouldn’t be many fundraisers.

Over at Politico, Ken Vogel reports on the Red Sox fever that’s sweeping the congressional fundraising circuit next week, taking off from our own Josh Heath’s post here.

Vogel found some events that aren’t in our database, including parties for: Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), and Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA).

And he digs up some interesting stats on how much politicians are paying for all those ball game tickets:

As well as the unique fundraising event works for baseball-loving pols and access-craving lobbyists, who were barred by post-Abramoff reforms from treating lawmakers to games, it works even better for the woebegone Nationals, who have had trouble selling seats at the glistening new stadium that opened last year.

Since the Nationals moved to Washington in 2005, politicians and PACs have paid $259,000 for Nationals tickets, according to Federal Election Commission records.

That’s more than double the $107,000 paid to the next most politically popular team: the New York Yankees. The team that previously held the closest-to-Capitol Hill advantage, the Baltimore Orioles, received $95,000 from federal committees, while the Red Sox pulled in $69,000 at their Fenway Park home in Boston.

Since 2005, federal candidates and committees have spent $718,000 overall for tickets to Major League Baseball games or to rent ballpark facilities, primarily for fundraisers, according to FEC records.

Legislators are kicking off some fun weekend excursions starting today, and no doubt they’re hoping these festivities will have them rolling in cash by Monday. Whether you’re the sort of donor who enjoys  a relaxing wine tasting in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, or the type who is eager to see if Eric Clapton can top his best live solo to date, it’s a safe bet you will be able to find what you’re looking for.

Rep. Richard Neal (MA-2) is hosting a “Summer Weekend on Cape Cod” for his Madison PAC and asking for contributions of $5,000. The event is taking place at Chatham Bars Inn where guests can look forward to a weekend of golfing, tennis, fishing, and even antique car tours. Sounds like my ideal weekend, but I don’t think I could stretch my stipend that far even if I spent the rest of the summer eating Totino’s.

The wine tasting weekend “Pinot in Portland” is hosted by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) and his invitation asks for a contribution of $5,000. It isn’t clear from the invite, but if the plans were up to me, the weekend would start at the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, which offers a Pinot in Portland package– just a short 20 minute drive north of “the heart of wine country.”

Reps. Mazie Hirono (HI-2) and Joe Crowley (NY-7) are also hosting fundraisers with home state themes. Hirono is hosting her Third Annual Taste of Hawaii Reception in DC on the 15th. The Congresswoman is asking $5,000 for PAC hosts, $2,500 for PAC sponsors, $1,000 for PAC guests, $2,400 for individual hosts, $1,000 for individual sponsors, and $500 for individual guests. Crowley’s “I Love NY” weekend starts tonight (June 12, 2009) at 5pm in New York City and he’s asking for contributions of $5,000 from PACs and $2,000 from individuals.

Arguably the highlight of the weekend, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI-1) is hosting a fundraiser at Eric Clapton’s Verizon Center performance in Washington DC with Steve Winwood. The invitation requests contributions of $5,000 or $2,500 but it’s unclear as to what these contributions will net the donor. One thing is clear: any Clapton or Winwood fans that are willing to shell out the requested contributions will have one hell of a good time.

Over at the Real Time Investigations project, researchers have documented which members of the House have posted their transportation earmarks online–only 83 at last counting. Now we see that a dozen of these lawmakers are the beneficiaries of transportation fundraisers since the start of the year. (See online database here, updated with party information. Edited to add: more lawmakers have added earmark information since this accounting).

Lawmakers don’t disclose who attends these events–only the campaign contributions they receive, reported weeks or even months after an event. With this inadequate disclosure, of both donors and earmarks, it’s difficult to determine whether any of the guests have a stake in a particular earmark.

• On June 16, a transportation breakfast for Rep. Philip Hare (D-WI) at Johnny’s Half Shell. Cost is $2,500 for a host, $1,000 for a PAC, $500 for an individual.  Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• Also on June 16, an “agriculture and transportation & infrastructure” breakfast for Rep. Steven Kagen (D-WI), at the home of the Congressman. Cost is $2,500 for a PAC host, $1,000 for a PAC, $500 for an individual.  (Kagen often hosts fundraisers at his home: see here.) Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On June 11, a transportation breakfast reception for Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) at Charlie Palmer Steak. Cost is $5,000 Chair; $2,500 Host; $1,000 Friend.  Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On June 11, a transportation industry breakfast for Brett Guthrie(R-KY) at The Capitol Hill Club. Cost is $2,000 PAC Co-Host; $1,000 Individual Co-Host; $1,000 PAC; $500 Individual. Special guest is Rep. John Mica (R-FL). Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On June 8, a transportation industry reception for Rep. Mike McMahon(D-NY) at K&L Gates. Cost was $5,000; $2,500; $1,000 (presumably for host, PAC, and individual?)  Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On May 11, a transportation industry reception for Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) at The Willard. Hosts are lobbyists John Milne, Al Shofe, and Chris Frech, along with the Jacobs Good Government Fund, a PAC. Cost was $2,500 for a PAC Host; $1,000 PAC; $500 Individual. Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On April 23, a transportation issues breakfast for Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ) at the National Democratic Club Townhouse. Cost was $1,000 for a PAC, $500 for an individual. Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On March 25, a “transportation and infrastructure” committee reception for Rep. James Oberstar(D-MN), chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,at Democratic National Headquarters. Cost was $1000 PAC; $500 Individual Donor and Spouse or Guest.  Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On March 23, a reception with the transportation community for Rep. Steven Kagen (D-WI) at the Home of John Weinfurter. Cost was $2500 for a PAC Host; $1000 for a PAC Guest; and $500 Individual Guest.  (John Weinfurter opens his home frequently for fundraisers. See here. ) Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On March 23, a transportation and technology breakfast discussion for Rep. Donna Edwards(D-MD) at National Democratic Club Townhouse. Cost was: $5000 PAC Host; $2500 PAC Sponsor; $1000 Guest; $500 Individual.  Earmarks: couldn’t find.
• On March 19, a transportation dinner for Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) at Hunan Dynasty. Cost was $5,000 for a host committee, $2,000 sponsor, $1,500 individual/PAC guest. Earmarks: couldn’t find.

• On March 19, a transportation industry breakfast for Rep. Harry Teague (D-NM) at the Tortilla Coast. Cost was $5000 for a PAC Host; $2500 PAC Sponsor; $1000 PAC Guest. Earmarks: couldn’t find.

• On February 24, a transportation labor dinner for Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-NY) at The Monocle. There was a $1,000 minimum contribution.  Earmarks: couldn’t find.

There were two lawmakers who were feted at transportation fundraisers who actually did post their earmarks:

• On April 22, a transportation industry breakfast for Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) at the Caucus Room. Cost was $5000 Host; $2500 Sponsor; $1000 PAC; $500 Individual. Earmarks: bingo! Altmire posts his requests on his web page, and they’re actually easy to find.

• On March 17, a transportation industry breakfast for Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) at Johnny’s Half Shell. Cost was $5000 Host; $2500 Sponsor; $1000 Guest. Earmarks: posted as text on a page via link on home page.

Next up in the annals of fundraising while grooving (see here and here), at least three lawmakers are planning fundraisers at a Beyoncé concert on June 24 at the Verizon Center in Washington DC.

Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and GK Butterfield (D-NC) are both asking for $2,500 per ticket, while Rep. Andrew Carson (D-IN) offers a relative bargain–$2,500 for two tickets, just $1,500 for individuals.

Of course running for Congress is an expensive business. Lawmakers try to raise cash wherever they can, and in the words of Beyonce in her Destiny’s Child days, are essentially asking lobbyists to pay their bills:

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo’ bills?

Beyoncé’s final American “I am…” tour performance at the Encore Theater in Las Vegas is scheduled for July 30th-August 2nd. Even though the concert is taking place in Vegas, we haven’t come across planned fundraisers for that event yet.

See my first impressions of the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum here.

We’ve found invitations for at least 28 parties this year for members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions, of which several can be linked directly to health care industry lobbyists. (This is part of a series we’ve been running on parties for members of key health care committees.) These include:

• Nine lobbyists from the Podesta Group broke from their boss, Tony Podesta’s Democratic proclivities and invited donors to a breakfast with Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). Among the companies some of them represent: Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Roche Group, and Genzyme Corp. Burr’s gotten more than $2 million in campaign contributions from the health care sector for his campaigns. (The nine lobbyists are: Sharon Cohen, Kimberley Fritts, Randall Gerard, Lauren Maddox, David Marin, Elizabeth Morra, John Scofield, John Shank, and Missi Tessier.)
• A half dozen lobbyists for the firm Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Inc.–Jamie Brown, Colette Desmarais, Bruce Mehlman, Elise Pickering, Dean Rosen, and Alex Vogel–planned a fundraising breakfast on March 10 for Sen. Johnny Isakson. Their clients include Abbott Laboratories, America’s Health Insurance Plans, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Isakson has collected more than $855,000 in campaign contributions from health care interests for his campaigns.
• Back in February, lobbyists for Fabiani & Co. organized another Isakson fundraiser, this one featuring “special guest” –Sen. Burr. Jim Fabiani and Stephen Conafay represent such clients as Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Braincells Inc., and Acorda Therapeutics.

[Thanks to intern Josh Heath who helped research this post.]