A fresh batch of leaked emails has provided a slice into the fundraising prowess of Sen. Patrick Leahy, who is seeking re-election amid charges by his opponent of being a Washington insider who depends on campaign contributions from corporations and other influential figures.
Emails made public by WikiLeaks describe a July 2015 fundraising dinner attended by roughly 50 high-profile lawyers, lobbyists and friends at the stately Washington D.C. home of John Podesta, a friend and former Leahy staffer who now runs Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
The dinner party — which featured both red and white wine — raised more than $42,000, according to WikiLeaks.
The event also drew a thanks from Leahy to his longtime friend.
Emails show that the day after the fundraiser, Leahy left a voicemail message for Podesta, thanking him for throwing the shindig.
“John, I know you made a special trip back last night,” Leahy said. “I can’t thank you enough. Not only was the food great, but your remarks were wonderful.”
“I appreciate the friendship,” Leahy ended. “I appreciate the help.”
According to an email from Heather Kliegman, a former manager at Podesta’s lobbying firm, donors had pledged $42,150 by July 20, one day before the fundraiser. Kliegman wrote in the email that there were also “quite a few outstanding numbers.”
The dinner party took place at Podesta’s luxurious brownstone on Belmont Road, just north of Dupont Circle. Ticket prices to the affair ranged in price from $500 to $2,500.
While Federal Election Commission records show a number of donations to Leahy from the individuals who were expected to attend the affair, emails suggest that political action committees often made donations on behalf of their employees in attendance.
There are no recorded contributions to Leahy from some lobbyists who attended, including Google employee Frannie Wellings as well as Anita Eoloff, who works for Wells Fargo. (Leahy took $2,000 from a Wells Fargo PAC in 2015, and his Green Mountain PAC has received $5,000 from Google this election cycle.)
Kent Knutson, the executive director of the Home Depot foundation, could not attend the dinner, but his company’s PAC sent Leahy money anyways, according to an email.
Matt Gerson, the vice president of the Universal Music Group, was expected to attend the gathering. He donated $1,000 to Leahy in May 2015, and gave an additional $1,000 to Leahy in 2016, according to FEC records.
Other attendees included Ira Fishman, managing director and chief operating officer of the National Football League’s Players Association, who gave $1,000 to Leahy.
David Leiter, a lobbyist at ML Strategies, pitched in $1,000, while Podesta Group lobbyist Mark Tavlarides gave $250.
Edward J. Barron — a former deputy chief counsel on Senate Judiciary Committee who now lobbies for Bayer pharmaceuticals — gave $1,500 to Leahy a few weeks before the Podesta dinner. He gave an additional $1,050 to Leahy’s campaign in 2016.
Other former Leahy staffers in attendance included Jon Haber, Luke Albee and Todd Shelton, all of whom now work to shape public policy for special interest groups.
Leahy campaign spokesman Jay Tilton said the campaign did not comment on WikiLeaks revelations, but added that “all contributions to Leahy’s campaign are fully disclosed in Federal Election Commission reports.”
Leahy is running against Republican Scott Milne and three minor party candidates. Milne has criticized Leahy for depending on special interest monies to fuel his campaign.
A partial list of expected attendees is available below:
