State selects 26 lobbying firms for first-ever audit of compensation reports

The Auditor General Office and staff from the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee selected Thursday 26 lobbying firms for the first-ever audits of lobbyists’ compensation forms.

Fourteen firms that seek to influence the Legislature in the making of policy and 12 firms focused on the executive branch are the first group subjected to audits mandated by a measure signed into law in 2005.

An additional 26 firms were selected in case any of the first group’s records are not able to be examined.

The selected legislative firms are:

1. Prieguez Solutions LLC
2. Robert Reynolds & Associates
3. Nicholas Millar
4. Rutledge Ecenia PA
5. Cullen Legislative Group
6. Karen K. MacFarland
7. Paladino Public Affairs LLC
8. Magnolia Strategies, LLC
9. Louis C. Rotundo
10. David T. Caserta Government Relations
11. Lettellier Consulting Group
12. David K. Sigerson
13. McDaniel Consulting
14. Sayfie Law Firm

If for any reason one of the firms can’t be audited it will be replaced by one of the following.

1. Adam and Reese
2. Adams St. Advocates
3. Capitol Solutions
4. David Griffin Consulting
5. Divine Conservative LLC
6. Fletcher & Phillips
7. Kim Berton
8. Lance Block Law Firm
9. Lasher Consulting
10. Mang & Santurri
11. Pinpoint Results LLC
12. Punyko Consulting LLC
13. Reid Innovation
14. Wilson & Associates

Twelve firms focused on the governor and Cabinet were also selected Thursday. They are:

1. Dean Mead
2. Buigas and Associates
3. DDarling Consulting
4. Landmarc Strategies
5. Professional Consulting
6. Mitchell J. Rubin
7. Masterson Law Group
8. Richwood Governmental Consultants
9. Wexford Strategies
10. Rathburn & Associates
11. National Strategies
12. Alcade & Fay

The additional executive branch firms selected if the original 12 can’t be audited for any reason are:

1. Florida Capitol Advocates
2. Out Front Brands
3. Carlton Fields Jorden Burt
4. Ron Greenstein
5. Ericks Consulting
6. Newell, Terry & Douglas
7. Deborah Lawson Governmental Affairs
8. Barlow Consulting
9. Blue Tusk Communications
10. Mary Kay Detzner
11. The WREN Group
12. Damon Smith Consulting

The state will notify the selected firms by certified mail that they must submit their records to examination by independent auditors, selected by the state. They will have 30 days to select from one of four firms or have the state assign an auditor to verify their reports. The auditing firms selected earlier this year are Chicago-based Grant Thornton, Atlanta’s Warrant Averett, Tallahassee-based Carrol and Company and Carr, Riggs & Ingram firm.

It is estimated more than $200 million is spent annually in an attempt to influence the making of state policy.  However, state law requires only that firms report compensation in $10,000 ranges so it’s impossible to get an exact total of the money involved in lobbying lawmakers.

There are around 800 lobbying firms working the state Capitol. The Florida Bar prepared this one-page summary of SB 6-B, which mandated the quarterly compensation reports and annual audits.

The Auditor General Office will post the names of the firms selected for this year’s audit on its website Friday.