"New Twist in 'Astroturf' Coal Campaign"

"A prominent coal industry association spent nearly $10 million over the past 18 months on lobbying efforts supervised by a public affairs firm currently under congressional investigation for its involvement in sending forged letters opposing the climate bill.

The public affairs firm, the Hawthorn Group, used some of that money to hire Bonner & Associates, a lobbying firm that specializes in grassroots campaigns. Bonner has admitted that an employee sent 13 letters -- purporting to be from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and other minority groups -- opposing new climate laws to vulnerable House Democrats."

Lisa Lerer reports for Politico October 14, 2009.

See Also:

The Influence Game: Forged Letters Went Unreported" (AP)

"Bonner Hearing Postponed After GOP Complaints" (TPM Muckraker)