Ohio Dem maintained cozy relationship with steel lobbyist, once gave her power of attorney

WASHINGTON — An Ohio Democrat maintained a lifelong friendship with a steel lobbyist — even giving her power of attorney — while also accepting campaign donations from the lobbyist and her firm’s PAC over two decades in Congress, according to photos, records and the congresswoman’s office.Rep.Marcy Kaptur‘s principal campaign committee took nearly $40,000 from the lobbyist, Eileen Bradner, and her firm’s PAC — and records filed in the city of Alexandria, Va., also showed that Bradner was briefly listed as Kaptur’s attorney-in-fact when she was refinancing her condo in August 2010.“It is extremely bizarre for a Member of Congress to give power of attorney to a major DC lobbyist,” said Caitlin Sutherland, executive director for Americans for Public Trust.“Marcy Kaptur has been outspoken about ethics and transparency, yet she engaged in a relationship that gave the appearance of a potential conflict of interest.

This raises serious questions about whether this woman lobbied Kaptur’s office or received any other special access or benefit while acting as an agent for the congresswoman.”Social media posts show that Bradner kept pictures of Kaptur in her office before retiring from lobbying, attended official political events and celebrated family moments.Kaptur, 80, is running to serve a 23rd term in the House to represent Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District.The seat is one of just five Democratic ones listed as a “toss-up” by the non-partisan Cook Political Report.“Congresswoman Kaptur’s long family friendship with Ms.Bradner and her now deceased parents goes back to their youth and family attendance at Little Flower Catholic Parish in Toledo, Ohio, where the Congresswoman still attends church weekly,” said Kaptur spokesman Ben Kamens.“Their acquaintance and friendship long predate the Congresswoman’s service in the House, and Ms.

Bradner and her daughter still visit Northwest Ohio often,” he added.“Ms.Bradner is a...