Rick Scott's threat worked, Lobbying firm drops Maduro ally

Days after Sen. Rick Scott (R) threaten the lobbying firm of Foley & Lardner to blackball them for accepting Venezuelan Inspector General Reinaldo Munoz as a client, the partners at the firm quickly heeded Scott’s warning/threat.

Here is what Sen. Scott wrote to Foley & Lardner:

“It has recently come to my attention that your firm was hired by Inspector General Reinaldo Muñoz, the top lawyer for Nicolas Maduro’s brutal regime in Venezuela.

This is shocking news considering the absolute genocide Maduro is committing on his citizens. He is a thug and a dictator who is murdering children and starving his people. No business in the United States should have any contact with Maduro’s government, let alone willingly take money to lobby on its behalf.

As Governor and now as U.S. Senator, I’ve been committed to fighting for freedom and democracy around the globe. The United States has taken strong action to try to force Maduro aside, but more must be done to bring freedom to the people of Venezuela. Frankly, I’m disgusted to learn that your firm has decided not to support this fight, and is instead choosing to stand with Maduro."   

Being called out as someone or group standing by a murderous and repressive regime will make anyone take pause and jump ship.

Foley & Lardner has now dropped Munoz as a client, and Scott is out making sure everyone thinking about working with Maduro knows what consequences lie before them if they decide to side with the Maduro regime.

 “This week, I raised questions about the $12.5 million Foley & Lardner received to represent the illegitimate Maduro regime and announced that I would no longer meet with anyone from that firm. I’m glad they made the right decision to drop the Maduro Regime as a client and return the money. It’s unfortunate they made the decision to give this murderous dictator legitimacy in the first place. I would recommend to Foley & Lardner that they get involved in support of the people of Venezuela. 

“Nicolás Maduro is perpetrating a genocide on the people of Venezuela. I’ve been to the border between Venezuela and Colombia. I met young mothers who trek hours through the jungle just to get their only meal of the day. I met children who travel through FARC-controlled territory to Colombia to go to school – the only way they can get an education. Thousands have died, millions have fled, and Maduro and his cronies have gotten fat and rich. I hope the last few days will serve as a lesson to any other lobbying firms, consultants or organizations that if you support Maduro and his gang of thugs, I won’t stay quiet.”- Sen. Rick Scott