Mike Lee, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, has criticized Attorney General Leslie Rutledge over recent reports of her participation at private meetings where corporate interests make big contributions to a political group she heads for access to state legal officers.
CBS reported recently on a retreat to a luxury resort in South Carolina put on by the Republican Attorneys General Association, which Rutledge leads. They pay a big fee for private meetings with state legal officers, sometimes in the midst of investigating the companies on various issues. Said Lee’s release:
“Leslie Rutledge was caught cozying up to big dollar special interest groups at luxury resorts while leaving Arkansans to fend for themselves. This CBS News investigation offers an inside look at a lavish retreat on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, where businesses and trade groups paid top dollar for access to our attorney general. Some of the companies are under investigation by state attorneys general, but still give large donations so they can get one-on-one access to state their case. $50,000 and a few days at a ritzy golf resort gets you an “issue briefing,” or one-on-one meeting about official state business.
As attorney general, I will be available to the people of Arkansas because voters shouldn’t have to pay for a round of golf or tune into Fox News to catch up with their lawyer. I am running because Arkansans deserve public officials they can trust. I have the right experience to enforce the law and hold special interest groups and corrupt politicians accountable.”
Rutledge wouldn’t talk to CBS about the event. I’ve offered her office another chance to comment about presiding over the paid special interest gatherings.
Drug company lobbying is another issue to watch with attorneys general as governments react to the opioid crisis.