As a former staffer for Congressman Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, who represents Michigan’s 1st District in the House of Representatives, I am concerned about the conflict surrounding him. It was referenced in a recent Detroit News article (“Michigan congressman’s top aide defends what critic calls ‘shady’ side gig,” May 8).
Bergman’s chief of staff, Tony Lis, and deputy chief of staff, Amelia Burns, run a political consulting firm called Right Way to Win while drawing taxpayer-funded salaries.
Congressional staff have access to sensitive information, constituent data, legislative strategy and high-level political connections. When they moonlight as political consultants, and when their boss, the U.S. Congressman, has a documented history of endorsing candidates who hire them, the appearance of self-dealing becomes undeniable.
Bergman recently endorsed former Rep. Beau LaFave after Right Way to Win started helping his Upper Peninsula (UP) Senate campaign. After Lis, LaFave and other staff started trashing current UP legislators, they withdrew their endorsements of Bergman, calling the situation damaging to the UP.
Voters in Bergman’s district face real challenges that demand full attention from his office. We cannot afford even the perception that decisions or endorsements are influenced by politics or finances.
Congressional ethics rules exist to prevent blurred lines between official duties and private gain. The News article reported Bergman has paid Lis regular lump-sum payments, allowing him to stay below the federal reporting requirements. Many offices separate campaign and office staff, while other federal employees are strictly forbidden to have additional employment.
Bergman owes his constituents full transparency: Has Lis properly disclosed his outside business activities? Does he use official time, resources or contacts for consulting work? Why does the congressman continue to endorse so many clients of his own staff’s firm?
The people of the 1st Congressional District deserve better. We need a representative and staff who put our region first. I urge citizens to demand answers and call on Rep. Bergman to address this conflict directly — either by requiring his staff to divest from Right Way to Win or by stepping aside from conflicted endorsements.
Julie Hoffmeyer
Upper Peninsula
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan’s 1st Congressional District deserves better | Letter
Reporting by Letter to the editor / The Detroit News
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