Someone or something is funding Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh [merged]

[Rob0729]

From PFT:

LEVY GETS COMPENSATED
Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2008, 2:42 p.m.

Washington lawyer Michael Levy has been representing former Patriots video employee Matt Walsh for more than a month now. League insiders and members of the media have been trying to figure out how an assistant golf pro in Hawaii came to be represented by a guy who wields a lot of juice . . . and who likely charges north of five bills per hour for his services..

In a puff piece masquerading as a feature in the New York Times, Levy explains that Walsh was referred to him by a lawyer whose firm previously did legal work for the Pats.

So now the unasked (and thus unanswered) question is how Walsh got connected with the guy whose firm previously did work for the Pats, and who the other lawyer and firm are. (OK that’s three questions.)

But the Times didn’t ask, so Levy didn’t tell.

Levy also didn’t address his financial relationship with Walsh. But Levy doesn’t need to. His compensation for this project won’t come in the form of dollars and/or cents, but via all the times his name gets mentioned in the press.

Not to mention a puff piece in the New York Times.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/03/15/levy-gets-compensated/

Here is the aformentioned puff piece in the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/s...rts&adxnnlx=1205612346-zHz2C59l+YRiSOlqZb3/EA

 

[BrianPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Interesting stuff, thanks for posting.

 

[upstater1]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Where do you see the media funding him?

I'm assuming that since the other lawyers' firm has done work for the Patriots before, and that a lawyer from that firm referred him, that this unnamed firm does work with NFL teams and NFL owners. If I had to make a WAG, I'd say Levy is being paid by some other team in the league.

Now, here is what makes Levy a hypocrite:

So what led Levy to take the Walsh case? “Large institutions can wield enormous power,” Levy said. “So in that sense, the N.F.L., Congress, the various institutions that have expressed an interest in this matter, are sufficiently powerful that Mr. Walsh, like any client, should be advised and protected. That’s what drives me.”

The Enron case was Levy’s latest career turning point. He represented current and former company executives in an investigation he called “probably the largest, most complicated in American history.” He spent thousands of hours on the case, accruing elite frequent-flier status in the first two months alone.

In one breath he says large institutions wield too much power, and in the next he's defending Enron and getting paid by guys who got rich destroying the lifelong savings of tens of thousands of ordinary people. Yeah, sounds like lawyer doublespeak instead of a fighter for the little guy.

To top it off, he called Scott Pioli a liar when he claimed that Pioli's comment about being taped was a "total fabrication."

 

[BrianPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Actually I misread the piece. Please erase thread.

Too bad, it was some nice insight into Levy !

 

[Rob0729]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Where do you see the media funding him?

I'm assuming that since the other lawyers' firm has done work for the Patriots before, and that a lawyer from that firm referred him, that this unnamed firm does work with NFL teams and NFL owners. If I had to make a WAG, I'd say Levy is being paid by some other team in the league.

Now, here is what makes Levy a hypocrite:



In one breath he says large institutions wield too much power, and in the next he's defending Enron and getting paid by guys who got rich destroying the lifelong savings of tens of thousands of ordinary people. Yeah, sounds like lawyer doublespeak instead of a fighter for the little guy.

To top it off, he called Scott Pioli a liar when he claimed that Pioli's comment about being taped was a "total fabrication."

I think Florio changed the title from when I first read his piece and when I went back in and posted it. I went to the NY Times site and then went back to PFT. I did say I misread it in another post that I delete.

Mods please change the title of the thread though.

Sorry.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Where do you see the media funding him?

I'm assuming that since the other lawyers' firm has done work for the Patriots before, and that a lawyer from that firm referred him, that this unnamed firm does work with NFL teams and NFL owners. If I had to make a WAG, I'd say Levy is being paid by some other team in the league.

Now, here is what makes Levy a hypocrite:



In one breath he says large institutions wield too much power, and in the next he's defending Enron and getting paid by guys who got rich destroying the lifelong savings of tens of thousands of ordinary people. Yeah, sounds like lawyer doublespeak instead of a fighter for the little guy.

To top it off, he called Scott Pioli a liar when he claimed that Pioli's comment about being taped was a "total fabrication."

Given the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in the case, Enron may not be the best example you could have come up with.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Too bad, it was some nice insight into Levy !

Well, I deleted the post asking to delete, but the title of the thread should be changed.

 

[BrianPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Well, I deleted the post asking to delete, but the title of the thread should be changed.

True and I see how you misunderstood the comments about the media ! But it's interesting none the less.

This guy is no slouch. I remember that he said Scott P's claim concerning the tape was a lie, but did he say that because his client is a liar and duped him ? If so, how's he going to react when it's proven he was lied to by Walsh ? This is not someone a man like Walsh wants to piss off, if Walsh thinks the Pats could do damage, this guy will bury him.

 

[PonyExpress]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

My guesses for who is secretly funding Levy are:

1) Another NFL team
2) Comcast
3) ESPN
4) A wealthy NFL fan
5) Major League Baseball

 

[BigMike]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

ahhhh, the weekly NY Times, PFT Walsh update.

 

[flasox27]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

Quid pro quo with Specter/comcast bank on it for Levy.

 

[FootballFanetic]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

I'd actually say that the firm may be doing it pro bono for all the publicity it's getting them (they're known more as a structured finance/corporate/transactional shop than a litigation firm). He does have quite an impressive resume, there's not doubt about that. I just hope they get done soon with all the negotiating so the world gets to actually see what he has (or doesn't have). I'm a Bills fan, so I'm a bit more disinterestedly curious as to what he has--as Pats fans, I'd think you all would be, too, as that may be the only way to clear your team's name. If he has nothing that ought to do it, but if he has something a la the Rams SB walkthrough tape, that's obviously a different ballgame altogether. Tough to tell from what's out there on this whether he really has anything new or not. Hopefully we'll get to see shortly, one way or the other and the League and your team can put this behind them.

 

[arrellbee]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

I think Florio changed the title from when I first read his piece and when I went back in and posted it. I went to the NY Times site and then went back to PFT. I did say I misread it in another post that I delete.

Mods please change the title of the thread though.

Sorry.

Unless I am mistaken, you can go back and change the title of the thread as it appears in the forum thread list - use the advanced editing option. Apologies if I am incorrect as far as this forum or it's user settings are concerned. (Even if you can change the thread title, any existing repies to the thread where folks don't make their own title for their post will carry the original thread title)

 

[JoeSixPat]

Has anyone taken closer look at Walsh's Lawyer - who's paying his bills, and why?

Thought it might be worthwhile asking some fellow Patsfans to look into possible connections Matt Walsh's expensive DC lawyer might have.

The assumption and expectation is that Matt Walsh isn't quite able to afford $400 plus an hour on a part time golf pro salary - and therefore someone, who might have a vested interest in NFL related business, is footing the bill.

Levy of course is a well connected DC lawyer who was a White House fellow during the Clinton years, worked as an assistant US Attorney, undersecretary at HUD.

http://www.mckeenelson.com/attorney...c1759603d-C3011CDD-1422-11F2-0AFC5C9F229D3AC4

But I guess what would be most intriguing is any connection he or his current or former law firms have with Comcast or Senator Specter or anyone else that has a vested interest in what Matt Walsh is saying.

I'm sure others are as adept at internet searches as I am, though I've got limited time... I quickly came across this article reference to an issue that McKee Nelson (his firm) had related to legislation introduced by Senator Specter. Not a smoking gun but what, if any connection was there regarding this bill, Specter, the lawfirm and Levy personally?

http://209.85.207.104/search?q=cach...McKee+Nelson+senator&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

He was also a partner with Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman - so there might be some connections there too.

I'm not accusing anyone of anything at this point but I think its worthwhile to look.

So go to it internet sleuths!

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh [merged]

Not quite sure why this thread was merged... I specifically was hoping to keep this effort separate from pure speculation - and a thread title that makes a statement of fact that is only speculation.

Did someone present proof that Levy is being paid by the "media"?

I've presented proof that Levy's firm was at the very least, closely linked with legislation introduced by Senator Arlen Specter... which is something I've not yet seen reported, and furthermore I'm hoping to keep this factual, asking people to find actual proof rather than just speculate.

Anyone can do that - but speculation isn't going to help in this case.

 

[fgssand]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh [merged]

Not quite sure why this thread was merged... I specifically was hoping to keep this effort separate from pure speculation - and a thread title that makes a statement of fact that is only speculation.

Did someone present proof that Levy is being paid by the "media"?

I've presented proof that Levy's firm was at the very least, closely linked with legislation introduced by Senator Arlen Specter... which is something I've not yet seen reported, and furthermore I'm hoping to keep this factual, asking people to find actual proof rather than just speculate.

Anyone can do that - but speculation isn't going to help in this case.

Great effort Joe.....very well may be something here.

Anybody having any luck??

PATS1 - this seems like something to send to your buddy Florio...what do you think??

The tie in of Spector>Levy>Walsh with Comcast $$$ sprinkled throughout really really reeks and makes sense to me.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh [merged]

Just for starters - not a smoking gun by any means as I'd be shocked if they WEREN'T active in political contributions - but the firm employees have donated in excess of $132,000 in recent election cycles.

I don't think I can post actual links but one can go on OpenSecrets.org and do a donor search by employer.

One interesting omission is of course the name Michael Levy - who's donor activities don't yet seem up to date with his new lawfirm - but he's given a good amount personally to individual campaigns and apparently to his lawfirm PACs as well.

I can't help but wonder if his recent inactivity in political donations might be one reason why he was pegged to be the attorney for Walsh - though connections to his law firms are still worth looking into

His previous lawfirm is Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman - the name of the firm doesn't always appear in its entirety. Checking into their connections might be wortwhile

Swidler et all gave a good chunk of softmoney to the Dems - but nothing outrageous

Now here's where it might get interesting - put in "Swidler" as a search term for "employer" - i.e. employees of Swidler et all - and it returns more than 1000 donations - and Open Secrets isn't even able to give you a ballpark estimate of how much Levy's former lawfrim donated there's so much activity there


Soft money can be REALLY hard to track however - and a lot of the information from Open secrets is dependent on accurate reporting too, as sometimes employees don't actually list their employer on campaign finance cards

There's a Gary Slaiman who is listed as a Swidler Berlin lobbyist who appears to have maxed out his individual donations to Specter in recent election cylcles that might be worth looking into as well.

Maybe all this doesn't come to anything, but it's pretty easy to follow the money trail if you know where to look

 

[ScottieC]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh

My guesses for who is secretly funding Levy are:

1) Another NFL team
2) Comcast
3) ESPN
4) A wealthy NFL fan
5) Major League Baseball

6. NASCAR

10 characters

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh [merged]

OK - now if anyone else wants to start looking into Swider et al's connections with Comcast I think there might be something there

Quite a bit comes up when googling those two terms - which might or might be significant but I've found at least one significant federal case involving comcast where a Swidler attorney was one of many attorneys... that area might be worth some digging

It looks definitively that Swidler was the attorney for Comcast in many instances

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: The Media is funding Michael Levy in his representation of Matt Walsh [merged]

To get a grip on just how much Levy's former lawfirm donates to federal candidates, I limited the search to the 2008, 2006, and 2004 cycles

Over this relatively short time period Swidler employees (those that identified themselves that way) donated nearly $500,000 to candidates for federal office and or soft money

It's probably impossible to know how much soft money goes to Specter but this is one incredibly politically active lawfirm - much more so than Levy's current firm.

Swidler et al also have done work with Comcast, and one of Swidler's lobbyisists, Gary Slaiman, has been an attorney for Comcast on behalf of Swidler, and has nearly maxed out his personal contributions to Specter

Slaiman alone is a prolific donor - more than $50,000 alone just by himself, including money to the Judiciary Chair - Senator Leahy. That's a lot of money in just 2.5 election cycles for an individual.

Slaiman appears to also work for another lawfirm Bingham & McCutcheon... I'll have to see what connections they might have.

As you can see, in DC its all about following the money trail, but I think with just some very basic searching we can see a connection between Levy, Comcast, and one of the most politically prolific lawfirms in DC.