In early 2017, lobbyist Marty Fiorentino—who worked for #ElaineChao in the George H.W. Bush administration—served as Chao’s “advisor on ports.” Fiorentino filed no lobbying disclosures, but Chao met with his clients. (1)
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Secretary Chao’s schedule shows that Fiorentino was given a DOT email account. (2)
On The Fiorentino Group’s most recent House lobbying disclosure, CSX, Jacksonville (Florida) Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and SNCF America, Inc. are listed as clients.
(3)
(3)
floridapolitics.com/archives/28273…
Jacksonville Transportation Authority was recently awarded $25,000,000 in DOT grants. Secretary Chao gave remarks at their rollout, and Fiorentino’s influence received a mention. (4)
Jacksonville Transportation Authority was recently awarded $25,000,000 in DOT grants. Secretary Chao gave remarks at their rollout, and Fiorentino’s influence received a mention. (4)
floridapolitics.com/archives/24010…
Fiorentino’s relationship with Secretary Chao isn’t a secret. (5)
Fiorentino’s relationship with Secretary Chao isn’t a secret. (5)
thefiorentinogroup.com/clients/
The Fiorentino Group’s website states that they represent CSX, Crowley Maritime, Jacksonville Port Authority, SNCF, and a company for which Chao was recently a director, Vulcan Materials. Recall that Chao reportedly failed to divest her Vulcan stock. (6)
The Fiorentino Group’s website states that they represent CSX, Crowley Maritime, Jacksonville Port Authority, SNCF, and a company for which Chao was recently a director, Vulcan Materials. Recall that Chao reportedly failed to divest her Vulcan stock. (6)
No federal lobbying filings were filed by The Fiorentino Group between 2011 and 2019. (7)
Secretary Chao’s schedule for February 2017—her first full month in office—lists a meeting with Thomas Crowley, Jr., the Chairman and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation. (8)
Chao’s schedule for June 20, 2017 notes a lunch with “SNCF Executives” in Paris. (9)
jaxport.com/federal-govern…
Jacksonville Port Authority (“Jaxport”) was recently awarded a $20,000,000 DOT BUILD grant. (10)
Jacksonville Port Authority (“Jaxport”) was recently awarded a $20,000,000 DOT BUILD grant. (10)
Secretary Chao’s shipping connections have been well-covered; her tasking from Trump to ease LNG rail transport safety regulations, and her family’s LNG investments, are not. (12)
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Secretary Chao’s sister Angela is on the Bank of China board of directors. Bank of China anticipates a role in a $43.4 billion Alaska LNG development deal. (13)
Secretary Chao’s sister Angela is on the Bank of China board of directors. Bank of China anticipates a role in a $43.4 billion Alaska LNG development deal. (13)
altgov2.org/wp-content/upl…
Secretary Chao’s schedule shows many meetings, calls, and dinners with Fiorentino and other individuals who are active in the rail, LNG, and infrastructure fields. (14)
Secretary Chao’s schedule shows many meetings, calls, and dinners with Fiorentino and other individuals who are active in the rail, LNG, and infrastructure fields. (14)
Secretary Chao hired an active lobbyist as her senior advisor, and their connections may have played roles in the award of millions of dollars in DOT grants that benefited the lobbyist’s clients. Her LNG regulations proposals may also benefit her family members. (End)
Secretary Chao’s communications with Marty Fiorentino should be FOIA’ed to determine whether he was serving as a “senior advisor on ports” or was simply promoting his firm’s clients in his capacity as a special government employee.
