Don Beason personally apologized to one reporter.
In a syndicated column, Scott Mooneyham, editor of political newsletter The Insider, said that the once-top lobbyist sent him a personal e-mail after it was revealed that he had loaned disgraced former House Speaker Jim Black $500,000 in 2000.
Mooneyham said he and Beason often ate lunch together, talking about the news of the day. He said he always found him "a straight shooter" and a "fascinating guy" with a long history in state government.
But I never forgot that Beason was a master of the art of influence. That influence was gained by providing legislators with straight information, but also — prior to last year's ethics reforms — raising campaign money and doing "favors," buying a meal or doling out sporting event tickets.
Mooneyham said he never accepted any favors, and he wrote Beason back saying he would cover the loan "fairly but without favor."
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