When the lobbyists of Cassidy and Associates go to bat for a client, at their disposal is a tight web of alliances, friendships and favors that stretches to the remotest corner of the Hill. The firm has about 30 associates. Among those who have been involved in lobbying for geothermal energy development are:
Vincent M. Versage, from 1976 to 1984 senior legislative assistant to Spark Matsunaga; from 1984 to 1985, legislative director to Rep. Timothy Wirth of Colorado; and since 1985 a Cassidy associate.
Willard F. Cox, from 1979 to 1983 special assistant to then-House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Don Fuqua, and since 1983 a Cassidy associate.
James P. Fabiani, president and chief operating officer of Cassidy and Associates. Fabiani served as committee staff for Rep. Silvio O. Conte, ranking minority member on the House Appropriations subcommittee on education and on the House Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services. Fabiani’s father, according to The Washington Post, was chairman of Pirelli Cable; the younger Fabiani was responsible for making the connection between Cassidy and Pirelli.
Carl Frank Godfrey, from 1979 to 1983 executive assistant to former Speaker of the House Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill, and since 1983 a Cassidy associate.
Donald P. Smith, from 1975 to 1987 on the staff of the House Appropriations Committee, and since 1987 a Cassidy associate.
Soon to be added to the fold is Henry Giugni. Giugni, erstwhile chauffeur for Inouye who, under Inouye’s tutelage, rose to the position of Senate sergeant-at-arms, announced that he would soon be joining Cassidy and Associates as vice president for corporate development. Giugni’s salary at Cassidy has been reliably reported at about $300,000.
(Most information for this article was obtained from The Washington Register, a private listing of lobbyists and clients.)
Volume 1, Number 7 January 1991
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