Now, it’s not surprising that lobbyist have done some sketchy things.  Making a $500k loan to the Speaker of the NC House when you represent the poker industry has to be one of the sketchiest.  But what’s worse is that Beason has known since the $500k allegation first surfaced that HE was the man behind it.  Rather than be up front and honest, he chose a darker path, to continue to represent folks all the while knowing the clock was ticking on the truth being told.  And that brings us to the issue of HONOR and SHAME.  For a man with such a stellar reputation it is appalling that he wasn’t honest and up front with explanations for why he did what he did.  Again, what happened to having some honor and shame? Beason should have fessed up rather than now offering mea culpas to his 19 clients.  No honor, no integrity, plenty of shame.

The $500,000 loan has alarmed public interest groups. At the time he made it, Beason was representing video poker operators.

“We
were stunned that any lobbyist could give that kind of loan to a
speaker,” said Bob Phillips, who heads Common Cause North Carolina. “To
provide a loan of that size one can’t help to think it is going to
provide some benefits for the lender.”

Beason might be in trouble with his own professional association.

Susan
Valauri, president of N.C. Professional Lobbyist Association, said the
group’s code prohibits members from putting an officeholder in a
position of conflict of interest with actions that would constitute
“improper influence.”