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Gingrich's Freddie Mac Contract Released

Newt reported to a top lobbyist in one-year, $300K deal

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2012 7:29 AM CST | Updated Jan 24, 2012 7:48 AM CST

(Newser) – Newt Gingrich made $25,000 a month working for Freddie Mac, where he reported to one of the company's leading lobbyists, according to his newly released contract with the mortgage giant. The 15 pages unveiled by Gingrich's former firm cover one year of his eight-year, $1.6-million relationship with Freddie—and the documents probably won't satisfy Mitt Romney's demands for records from the period, notes the Washington Post. It offers just a paragraph on the "scope of services and fees," and doesn't give details.

Freddie Mac exec Craig Thomas, listed as a lobbyist for the firm in 2000, 2005, and 2006, is named as "project director" in the contract. Gingrich says he talked to officials at the firm for just an hour a month, and his website suggests that "at no time did Gingrich lobby for Freddie Mac," adding that he did not "ever advocate against pending legislation affecting Freddie Mac." No word yet from the former speaker as to whether more documentation is on the way, as Romney continues to hammer his opponent over the matter.

Newt Gingrich gestures during a Republican presidential debate Monday Jan. 23, 2012, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.
Newt Gingrich gestures during a Republican presidential debate Monday Jan. 23, 2012, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
jeffakinsz
Jan 25, 2012 2:15 AM CST
One reason existing refinancing efforts have fallen far short of their goals is that Fannie and Freddie continue to charge homeowners high, risk-based fees up front to refinance their loans you can avoid this if you check your rates and fees at 123 Refinance before you sign
LoginsSuck
Jan 24, 2012 11:01 AM CST
Newt Gingrich made $25,000 a month working for Freddie Mac, where he reported to one of the company's leading lobbyists But he did not ever lobby for nor advocate against pending legislation ..…(pfffffffttttttt, snort, giggle) ok. I just can't say it. I can't say it. How can Newt say it with a straight face?  I was a historian. Ha ha ha What a load of crap. Really? Were you a registered historian? Doesn't count if you weren't registered. Newt why don't you pretend that America has cancer and find your next country.  We are getting older now, what we are pushing 236 this year.
Moon
Jan 24, 2012 10:36 AM CST
If you work for a lobbyist and you get paid like a lobbyist, you probably ARE a lobbyist.

 
Newt Gingrich • Freddie Mac • lobbying • historian • lobbyists • Election 2012 • Newt Gingrich 2012

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Freddie Mac Paid Gingrich $1.6M

Non-Lobbyist Newt Gingrich Acted a Lot Like a Lobbyist

Gingrich: Sure, Release My Freddie Mac Records

Mitt: Newt Should Return Freddie Mac Money

Newt's Freddie Deal: the Epitome of DC Slime
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