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WASHINGTON ― On Thursday, July 9, 2015, Evan Morris, a super lobbyist with the biotech firm Genentech ― one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world ― texted with his wife, the mother of their two children, and headed to the exclusive Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, an elite club and course that hosts major tournaments and has been played by former President Barack Obama and Tiger Woods.
Morris bought the bar a round of drinks, running up an eye-popping tab. He then walked out to the club’s fire pit overlooking the lake. His wife, who had gotten an inkling of what he was about to do, frantically pleaded with him, texting him photos of their children. He shot himself in the head.
Gawd but you're an idiot— Who else is under investigation? “Investigators are trying to determine if any of the lobbyists, media advisers, political strategists and consultants hired by Mr. Morris had helped hide alleged kickback payments, which could yield fraud or other charges,” Mullins reported. “Federal prosecutors have already presented evidence to a grand jury.” Who are they? While lobbying firms are required to file public disclosures, public relations firms and other consultants aren’t, leaving us in the dark about exactly who could be under investigation. “Genentech has told its consultants that they are not to speak to any reporters and that if they hear from any they should tell the reporter to call Genentech,” a source told The Huffington Post after the story broke on Monday.
— What is Jim Courtovich’s role? Morris worked for years with the prominent Washington media consultant Jim Courtovich, and records reviewed by the Journal show that Courtovich’s firms sent millions to Morris’ personal bank account. Eric Lewis, Courtovich’s lawyer, told the Journal that Courtovich and his firm, Sphere Consulting, were duped by fake documents, including a forged American Enterprise Institute invoice. But it’s unclear whether Courtovich is a target of the investigation. Lewis did not respond to emailed question on Tuesday about whether there were any indications that Courtovich was under investigation.
By
BRODY MULLINS
Updated Feb. 13, 2017 11:48 a.m. ET
Few outside Washington had ever heard of Evan Morris. Yet in the capital of wheeling and dealing, he was one of its most gifted operators.
Evan Morris, a high-flying corporate lobbyist, is suspected of embezzling millions of dollars in what is shaping up to be a sprawling Washington influence scandal
