Spirits maker Diageo North America and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. have each agreed to pay a $5,000 fine because their lobbyists failed to disclose expenditures for receptions at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Office of State Ethics announced.
Both companies are registered as client lobbyists in Connecticut. Ethics regulators said each company hosted a reception during the 2012 DNC in Charlotte, N.C., which were attended by nine state employees or public officials, staff, or immediate family members.
The Connecticut Mirror reported that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy attended the Diageo reception on Sept. 3, 2012, where he gave delegates a pep talk.
Each company said in stipulation and consent orders released by ethics officials this week that the violations were inadvertent.
Under state law, lobbying registrants are required to report all expenditures of $10 or more on public officials, their staff or immediate family members.
Lobbyists are also required to provide those public officials with a written report within 10 days stating the name of the donor and the description and value of items given.
