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In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
he stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\"We have to wait and push back our timelines if that's what we're waiting for,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\"We have to wait and push back our timelines if that's what we're waiting for,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to Homka, demands to recoup that money in the upcoming fiscal year have been made by Unalaska's federal lobbyists<\/a>, the qualified advocates who attest to the city's requirements throughout the year. He did, however, add that the projects may need to be modified in the interim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"We have to wait and push back our timelines if that's what we're waiting for,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, Impression Strategy, a new lobbying firm, was hired by Korea Zinc's U.S. affiliate, Pedalpoint Holdings, under a $40,000 contract. Brad Stewart, a seasoned Capitol Hill<\/a> assistant who was once Rep. Zach Nunn's chief of staff and is well-known for his connections to Trump's political network, is one of its lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With vital minerals at the heart of the intensifying struggle, the company's expanding Washington presence coincides with resurgent U.S.-China trade tensions under President Trump. In Washington's attempts to secure supply lines for these resources, Korea is viewed as a crucial ally. The U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an effort to challenge China's hegemony in the world's vital minerals market, was chaired for a year by South Korea in July 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Korea Zinc intensifies lobbying in US through firm tied to Trump","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"korea-zinc-intensifies-lobbying-in-us-through-firm-tied-to-trump","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:23:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7638","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The visit coincides with nationwide financial reorganisations brought on by new federal cost-cutting initiatives. Grants to several Unalaska organisations that rely on federal funding have decreased. For the Captains Bay waterline project, which would have updated infrastructure along a highway linking to many industrial locations, the city lost around $3.4 million in congressionally ordered funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Homka, demands to recoup that money in the upcoming fiscal year have been made by Unalaska's federal lobbyists<\/a>, the qualified advocates who attest to the city's requirements throughout the year. He did, however, add that the projects may need to be modified in the interim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"We have to wait and push back our timelines if that's what we're waiting for,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"That's a huge deal out here because our construction season is so short.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the Unalaska group met with members from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Homka, a scheduled meeting with the Navy was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military is showing fresh interest in the Aleutians, especially farther down the chain, nearer Russia. According to federal officials, Adak, the westernmost municipality in the United States, is seeing a sort of comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reopening the naval base in Adak might strengthen the nation's security against escalating foreign threats, according to Sen. Dan Sullivan during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in February. Adak, which had housed 6,000 troops during the Cold War, now has around 50 permanent people and a large amount of abandoned military infrastructure. A new launchpad for launching satellites into low Earth orbit is also anticipated to be built near the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military's connection with Unalaska is improving<\/a>. Last year, the Coast Guard station on the island was transformed into a Marine Safety Unit. The Navy responds to an increasing Chinese and Russian presence in the Bering Sea and often pauses in Dutch Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still cleaning up World War II-era contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of the military in Unalaska is still up in the air, according to Homka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Don't we all want to know?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It's how we make a living out here. It encompasses many different aspects of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this year's federal lobbying trip, Homka, Mayor Vince Tutiakoff Sr., Vice Mayor Alejandro \"Bong\" Tungul, Councilmember Anthony Longo, municipal lobbyists, and Ounalashka Corp. CEO Natalie Cale represented Unalaska. Like the state lobbying trip to Juneau, the travel to D.C. is a longstanding tradition. Last month, local initiatives were also promoted by city leaders in the state capital.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unalaska leaders lobby Washington for federal support amid budget cuts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unalaska-leaders-lobby-washington-for-federal-support-amid-budget-cuts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-29 12:25:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7652","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7639,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:14:10","post_content":"\n The $6 million agreement between the Democratic Party and the American firm Continental Strategy has sparked concerns, leading to inquiries by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In April, Flamur Noka, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States, signed the party's lobbying contract with Continental Strategy. Of the $6 million total contract value, $750,000 has already been paid for the first three months. Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American, has offered a payment guarantee for this sum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continental Strategy is a U.S.-based consulting and lobbying organization<\/a> that focuses on political strategy and government relations. The firm, which was established in early 2022 by former ambassador and state lawmaker Carlos Trujillo, has close political links to prominent members of the U.S. Republican Party, such as Senator Marco Rubio and Katie Wiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the terms of the agreement, Continental Strategy will offer the Democratic Party government relations services, particularly by building connections with influential members of the legislative and executive branches to support policymaking and the accomplishment of the party's goals for governance and elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Democratic Party emphasised in a media statement that the $6<\/a> million will be disbursed via the \"Make Albania Great Again\" foundation, set up by Albanian Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second deal the Democratic Party has inked with people close to US President Donald Trump in the last three months. Previously, one of Trump's two primary strategists from the previous presidential campaign, Chris LaCivita, controlled the business that handled the PR for the May 11 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPAK is the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure in Albania, set up as part of a comprehensive system of judicial reform aimed at the fight against high-level corruption and organized crime and bringing the country up to the standards of the European Union. SPAK was set up after Albania's 2013 constitutional reform, which was meant to deal with entrenched corruption in the judiciary and the public sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms created an independent institutional framework for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial treatment of organized crime and corruption cases. SPAK is formed by a Special Prosecution Office (separate from other prosecution offices) and a subordinated National Bureau of Investigation. SPAK Courts, which began activities on December 19, 2019, are replacing the previous Serious Crime Courts and exercise nationwide jurisdiction in related cases.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Albania\u2019s Democratic party under investigation over $6 million US lobbying deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"albanias-democratic-party-under-investigation-over-6-million-us-lobbying-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-28 19:22:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7639","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7638,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_date_gmt":"2025-04-27 19:13:05","post_content":"\n As Korea Zinc deepens its efforts to address a management dispute with MBK Partners and rising geopolitical risks, the South Korean mining company has emerged as a prominent player in Washington's lobbying arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Korean firms have notably intensified their lobbying activities in the United States against the backdrop of changing U.S. trade policies, threats of tariffs, and changing regulatory environments under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This increased lobbying is necessitated by the imperative of defending their investments, obtaining preferential terms for further expansion, and managing uncertainty related to tariffs, export controls, and industrial policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act, the company's $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) in the first quarter of 2025 was the ninth-largest single lobbying agreement during that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Trump's return to power, MPA, a politically connected business with connections to important Trump administration personnel, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has rapidly expanded. In only the first quarter, the company signed contracts for $5.2 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After first retaining MPA in February 2024, Korea Zinc has extended the contract five times, most recently tripling the $250,000 quarterly payment. According to MPA's papers, Korea Zinc is receiving advice from the company on matters pertaining to \"critical minerals, recycling, and clean energy subsidies.\" David Vitter, a former Republican senator and congressman, and Cheri Bustos, a former Democratic congresswoman, are important lobbyists on the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to congressional records, just eight<\/a> other corporations inked larger lobbying deals during the quarter, including chipmaker Qualcomm ($680,000) and Nippon Steel, which is attempting to purchase U.S. Steel ($1.7 million).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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