After it was publicly disavowed by President David Granger, United States lobbying firm JJ&B LLC has submitted a brief contract document to the United States government in which it now states that it has been employed by Joseph Harmon and David Patterson on behalf of the APNU+AFC coalition.
The firm’s previous declaration that it had been retained by the Guyana government drew intense scrutiny last month when then Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon claimed that it was hired as part of government’s attempt to change the narrative surrounding the disputed polls, the results of which were still to be finalised.
Based on the new document, signed on April 20, two days after President Granger disavowed the firm, the coalition will pay JJ&B a monthly retainer of US$40,000 for the duration of the contract.
The document notes that the issues confronting the coalition require “experienced public policy experts with direct relationships with the principals in the U.S. Government responsible for managing the U.S. -Guyana relationship.
The firm has agreed to promote the interest of the coalition through the six lobbying projects.
These include the use of contacts in the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the US Department of State, the US Department of Justice and the Foreign Relations Committees of both the Senate and Congress.
These agencies are to be lobbied by highlighting the importance of the U.S. partnership with Guyana and the legitimacy of the de facto government with a special emphasis on the role of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the ongoing recount process.
The firm has also committed to utilise media to “improve the perception” of the APNU+AFC and to promote economic development efforts related to needed infrastructure projects, including contracts with US companies.
Stabroek News has previously reported as part of an official submission under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), JJ&B LLC has stated that it has been employed to represent the “Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana”.
Notably the initial filing made on March 31 is still part of the records and still lists the Government of Guyana as the client of JJ&B. Both submissions also bear the same registration number 6809.
The firm was required to make a public disclosure under FARA, which stipulates that agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities specified under the statute make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities. The FARA Unit of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in the National Security Division (NSD) of the Department of Justice is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the law.
According to the first submission, the firm had received an initial retainer of US$40,000 to contact officials of the executive and legislative branches of the US government in order to seek resolution of disputes regarding Guyana’s presidential election, and in order to improve relations between Guyana and the US.
The firm had noted that a written contract did not exist but that it has been paid a retainer of US$40,000 for the month of April and listed Harmon in his capacity as Director General as a point of contact while the Ministry of the Presidency is listed as the specific agency being represented.
The Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) later stated that neither the Government of Guyana nor President Granger had hired JJ&B.
The denial came days after Harmon as a government employee took responsibility for hiring the firm.
Though he denied that state funds were used for the purpose, Harmon told reporters that “as a government” the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition has the right to ensure that developments in the country should not be derailed by a narrative contrary to the facts. He reminded that at his last press conference he explained that government would be working to change the narrative within the international community.
He claimed incensed APNU+AFC supporters were funding the firm’s payment.
