A government firm linked to former President Trump has begun representing a nonprofit that was set to receive substantial funding from a Biden administration initiative currently under federal scrutiny.
The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC), a nonprofit chosen for funding under the Inflation Reduction Act, was earmarked to receive $5 billion. This allocation has been complicated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) freezing the fund and Congress canceling parts of the initiative.
The now-defunct Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which funneled significant taxpayer money to environmental organizations with ties to Democratic insiders, is under investigation for potential waste and fraud. Both the EPA’s inspector general and the FBI have been looking into these issues.
Checkmate Government Relations, a firm with connections to Trump and former administration officials, is handling CGC’s lobbying efforts. They registered on January 15, and submitted their disclosure to Congress in mid-February, indicating their lobbying activities.
Among those named in the lobbying disclosure are Charles McDowell and Christopher Lacivita Jr., who have both been closely associated with Trump’s inner circle. Lacivita even played pivotal roles during Trump’s campaigns.
James Johnson, who has held various influential positions, was a key advisor in the Trump administration and has been involved with organizations that maintain connections to government officials.
Checkmate has also partnered with the recently recognized Lumbee tribe, further extending its political reach. The firm has worked with clients spanning the political spectrum, including major corporations.
Michael Chamberlain, president of a watchdog group, noted it makes sense for CGC to seek help from a lobbying firm that has deep ties to political allies, especially given the complexities surrounding the funding.
The EPA has faced criticism over its handling of grant distribution and the qualifications of selected grantees, raising concerns among federal examiners regarding potential mismanagement of funds.
Chamberlain remarked that CGC has solid connections to the Democratic Party and pointed out that their approach seems to strive for bipartisanship, which contrasts with the previous administration’s strategies.
Interestingly, CGC reported that their mission does not conflict with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s initiatives, expressing a desire to cooperate moving forward.
In a broader context, CGC and others have filed lawsuits against the EPA for withholding funds, arguing that such actions lacked legal justification. These cases are currently under reconsideration by the appeals court.
Zeldin has frequently cited the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund as a glaring example of mismanagement from the Biden administration. In a notable incident captured on video, an EPA official described the urgency to distribute funds as chaotic.
W. C. McIntosh, then acting deputy administrator, emphasized the unique nature of this funding arrangement designed to bypass excessive oversight, while addressing concerns of potential conflicts of interest and the effectiveness of the overall program.
Moreover, there has been widespread concern among House Oversight Committee members about the program’s management, leading to a detailed report that outlined those issues.
