After Working in Government, Washington DC Insider Michael Whatley Has Long Career of Lobbying for Companies Including Duke Energy That Have Raised Costs on North Carolinians
RALEIGH – Today, Roy Cooper released the following statement in support of a ban on elected officials becoming lobbyists after they have left office:
“Elected officials should focus on lowering costs and delivering for the people they represent, not gaming how they will cash out on their connections when they leave office. To me, this is simple: elected officials and high-ranking executive branch staff shouldn’t lobby after they leave office. In the U.S. Senate, I’ll be laser-focused on making stuff cost less and making life easier for North Carolina families. I won’t lobby after leaving office.”
It’s a different story with Michael Whatley. After spending years working in a senior role at the Department of Energy, Whatley became a lobbyist representing the interests of “the world’s biggest oil companies” and for utility companies like Duke Energy. Whatley “argued in favor of rate increases,” making millions as his clients raised utility rates on hardworking families and raked in record profits for their shareholders.
Whether it’s profiting personally from the war in Iran while gas prices skyrocket, or pushing for legislation raising drug prices for seniors and boosting his own Big Pharma stocks, it’s clear that Whatley sees this job as another opportunity to make money at the expense of working people.
###