News

•  A federal judge ruled last week that the EPA may have intentionally evaded a FOIA request filed by Landmark Legal Foundation seeking e-mails from current and former leaders at the agency. This is just another step in the ongoing controversy over allegations that former Administrator Lisa Jackson may have conducted government business through private and hidden e-mail accounts. (Fierce Government)
• The Obama administration issued guidance aimed at helping agencies comply with the recent executive order on open data. Specifically, the guidance sets out how to complete data audits and incorporate open data policy into regular activities. (Federal Computer Week, Nextgov)
• Scott Brown (R-MA), who was ousted last November after a brief stint in the Senate and is considering running for President in 2016 hasn’t been doing much fundraising since leaving office. But, Brown still has almost $200,000 left over from his Senate race. (Roll Call)
• Smell that? It’s the scent of the “fragrance lobby” spritzing around Capitol Hill. Jim Neill was recently named the International Fragrance Association’s head of North American government affairs and brings years of experience with the retail lobby and congressional politics. (Roll Call)
• The seemingly endless flood of bad news for Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell might not result in criminal action against the embattled lawmaker, who stands accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts and loans from a friend with political and business ties to the Governor. Virginia has some of the weakest ethics laws in America. (Politico)
• After previously reporting about Chris Christie’s growing campaign organization, the New York Times has a break down of the New Jersey Governor’s strong out-of-state fundraising, including large sums from California. (New York Times)

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