Nude-industry lobbyist in current scandal scored $10k

Who did Marco Polo Cortes lobby and when did he lobby them?

That's the question making the rounds of San Diego city hall in the wake of the lobbyist's arrest on federal charges related to the city's latest campaign money laundering scandal.

Now there are a few more answers, at least from Cortes himself.

According to a newly filed disclosure statement covering the final quarter of last year, Cortes received $10,000 from the San Diego Hospitality and Entertainment Coalition to lobby in regards to "any matter related to the adult/nude entertainment industry."

Cortes was a dinner-and-golfing pal of Cheetahs strip-club-scandal figure — and city-council member — Ralph Inzunza, who got out of prison last summer.

As previously reported here, Cortes stated that he took on the nude lobbying gig last June, disclosing then that the coalition included Red Eye Jacks, Inc.; Knights Kearny Villa, LLC; Midway Venture, LLC; and Show Girls of San Diego, Inc.

Regarding adult entertainment, Cortes made contact with Jericho Salvador and Dan Plein of the San Diego Police Department. According to a letter he wrote denying that the police were using drones, Salvador is the public records act liaison with the chief. Plein is involved with licensing and regulation.

Cortes also got $3000 for lobbying on behalf of the United Association of Food Trucks of San Diego. He contacted Monica Montgomery of the office of interim mayor Todd Gloria and Amanda Lee of the Development Services Department in that regard, his report says.

And that was it for paid gigs, the disclosure shows.

Among clients that Cortes says didn't pay him in the quarter was an entity called Beer Company, for which Cortes lobbied regarding support for "live entertainment permit at 602 Broadway, Suite 110." Cortes reported contacting cops Plein, Al Guaderrama, and Cesar Solis on behalf of that client.

No members of the city council were listed among the Cortes lobbying contacts.