Justice Aide Paul Hardesty Lobbies for Altria While Earning $40,250, Raising Senate Ethics Questions
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 11
Justice Aide Paul Hardesty Lobbies for Altria While Earning $40,250, Raising Senate Ethics Questions
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 11
Summary
Paul Hardesty, a state and local government liaison for Sen. Jim Justice, has been registered since January 2025 to lobby West Virginia lawmakers for Altria while also serving on the senator’s payroll.
Senate records show Justice’s office paid Hardesty about $40,250 from January through September 2025 and roughly $26,000 from October 2025 through March 2026—above the $25,000 threshold tied to some outside-work restrictions.
Justice’s office said the Senate Ethics Committee reviewed the arrangement and did not object, citing Hardesty’s part-time status, no federal lobbying, and no Altria matters brought before the senator.
Ethics experts said the setup creates at least the appearance of a conflict and highlights loopholes, because Senate rules do not explicitly bar staffers from state lobbying done in a personal capacity and on their own time.
The disclosure follows another report that a Mike Rounds adviser was also registered as a state lobbyist, adding to pressure for tighter Senate ethics rules on outside lobbying work.