Reporting on lobbying expenses is up to the client.
Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel, who is representing some of former lobbyist Don Beason's clients, told Dome that state law requires the client — whether it's a business, advocacy group or special interest — to report how much a lobbyist is paid.
"The lobbyist usually tells the corporation how much of the lobbyist's fee or salary is reportable under North Carolina law, but the principal is responsible (and liable) for reporting," he wrote in an e-mail to Dome.
He said that principals typically report from 15 to 30 percent of a fee or salary paid to a lobbyist, based on the state's definition of reportable lobbying expenses.
"A lot of what a lobbyist does is giving strategic political advice, monitoring legislation, and looking for legislative trends," he wrote. "These are not lobbying activities and are not reportable."
Weisel contends that his clients did not "underreport" their expenses.
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And Wesley Snipes paid his taxes...
As Ron Binder, the former director of Greek Affairs at UNC-Chapel Hill, used to say about fraternity and sorority schemes to get around the rules concerning consumption of adult beverages:
If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck; it probably is a duck.
If you are a paid LOBBYIST and perform functions related to your employment by an entity to LOBBY state government; it probably is LOBBYING.
But lawyers are famous for trying to convince us that "this is not what appears to be."
Considering Weisel and Beason's close ties, Beason's former clients probably should consider hiring counsel that doesn't have a potential conflict of interest.