Law firm's 'political intelligence' work ends after probe

A Miami law firm has decided to no longer work with 'political intelligence' firms after it was questioned by a US Senator over the gathering and sharing of confidential government information concerning Medicare rates.

Miami: Greenberg Traurig under review

Greenberg Traurig spokeswoman Jill Perry wrote in an email that the firm has ‘concluded that providing government relations services to an entity in the ‘political intelligence’ area may lead to misunderstanding and unintended use of those services, even when compliant with legal and ethical standards’, Business Week reports.

Information leak

Iowa Republican Senator Charles Grassley is investigating whether government information was leaked.
Health insurer Humana and political intelligence firm Height said they were cutting ties with Greenberg after Senator Grassley announced he was reviewing the situation.
Height has said it has done nothing wrong, stating: ‘Our report was based on careful and close analysis of the facts, and was solid, sound research in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.’

Financial connection

Greenberg has also stated it has not found evidence of any illegal activity, with Ms Perry adding: ‘The firm and its shareholders had no financial connection with Height’s activities and Height has acknowledged using a variety of sources before issuing its alert… We have found no information that any of our shareholders had access to any material confidential government information.’
The Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the insurance program, has also said it’s reviewing the situation.

Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]

Top