Issa Staffer Gets Free Lodging and Lobbying in Palo Alto

A top staffer for GOP congressman Darrell Issa recently traveled free of charge from Washington to Palo Alto to meet with a group of high-tech company executives, thanks to funding from an outfit called the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation. According to a post-travel disclosure form filed June 24 and posted by the website Legistorm.com, Laurent Crenshaw, former deputy press secretary to then–House majority whip Roy Blunt and now Issa’s legislative assistant, was away Wednesday, June 8, through Friday, June 10, attending what the foundation said was part of its “education series.” The junket included visits to Intel, Microsoft, Yahoo, Cisco, IBM, Nanosolar, HP, Merck, and Equinix, as well as a roundtable discussion dinner at Scott’s Seafood in Palo Alto and an overnight stay at a Westin hotel. The foundation picked up $704.95 in transportation expenses, $470.14 lodging, and $294.59 worth of food. A raft of other House aides were also invited along. According to the filing, the travel was part of “a set of regular trips with Members of Congress and/or senior House and Senate staff to high-tech and innovation hubs around the country to hear from company leaders about new developments and issues.… This trip will give staff the opportunity to see actual technology demonstrations and presentations by top technology leaders.”

Note: An earlier reference to another congressional staffer was incorrect and has been stricken.