Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Lobbyist at center of controversy blames opponents

Posted in:

Illinois

* DeJuan Kea is the fantasy sports game lobbyist who was accused by House Black Caucus Chairperson Rep. Rita Mayfield of sending an “unethical, and in my opinion illegal” e-mail to his superiors allegedly suggesting that “in exchange for considerations, donations” to House Black Caucus charitable activities “he could guarantee votes.”

I’ve been attempting to talk to Kea for a while now. Two of his friends reached out yesterday, but we couldn’t come to an agreement about when or where to meet. He sent me this e-mail today…

Dear Mr. Miller,

I am writing in hopes of correcting some of the information that has been reported on by you and other journalists about an email sent by me to my client.

At the request of my client, I did research about how they could create connections with the Black community as a part of overall company long term local CSR (corporate social responsibility) goals to have an ongoing relationships in Illinois. I sent my client an email describing the ILBC Foundation programs and activities.

My email with my client about community involvement was meant only for my client. There is nothing wrong or improper with the email contents or intent in the context of our work in Illinois. There is no crime or impropriety in the contents of the email. What is troubling is that others were in possession of my work product, or a portion of it, and are making allegations and assumptions about its content.

I have worked in this industry for ten years and I am very proud of my record, my conduct and my accomplishments. I am troubled that my email has been used by someone to try to create a scandal where none exists. Evidently someone wanted to delay the online fantasy sports regulation bill and they have succeeded.

Please contact me if you have any other questions.

I asked him to share his e-mail with me. So far, he hasn’t responded.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 30, 16 @ 11:17 am

Comments

Sometimes… it’s just best to move on and learn from your own… misunderstandings.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 30, 16 @ 11:28 am
Man up or shut up. He did neither

Comment by Altgelds Ghost Monday, May 30, 16 @ 11:32 am
Not a single person has stepped up to defend this guy. I think that says everything you need to know about his ten years in this industry.

Comment by Anon Monday, May 30, 16 @ 11:57 am
The whole “they shouldn’t have been going through my things” routine doesn’t work. Not for kids, not for cheating significant others, and not for below-board lobbyists. Good luck in your job hunt!

Comment by SinkingShip Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:09 pm
Anon: “Not a single person has stepped up to defend this guy. I think that says everything you need to know about his ten years in this industry.”

Defend him from what? What, exactly, did he do? The person blaming him hasn’t even been willing to identify him publicly.

I wouldn’t rush to judgment on anything because of a lack of comments on a blog on Memorial Day.

Please, give it a rest.

Comment by Clarence Darrow Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:12 pm
===Defend him from what?===

Mayfield’s allegations.

C’mon, this isn’t that difficult.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:15 pm
Kea used to be with the Illinois principals association, I think he was their lobbyist. I don’t remember him being effective. He needs to smarten up.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:33 pm
The accuser hasn’t provided the email. She has or had access to it. If she doesn’t have access now, why not? Maybe her memory of the email is incorrect? Too many basic questions from the initial accusation remain open currently to even engage in a discussion. It’s hard to defend someone when hard facts have not been established yet. It’s prudent to wait until all the objective facts are established.

Comment by Clarence Darrow Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:35 pm
JSM, I believe you are correct. On all three counts.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Since Kea is representing a client, only the client can really release the Email. So until that happens…

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:48 pm
SinkingShip: you sound bitter. Couldn’t cut it in Springfield?

Not that you’re owed an explanation but wait until all the facts come out. There is such a thing as privilege, confidentiality, and intellectual property. This is not new for SpringPatch.

JS Mill: for every opinion about someone being ineffective you can find at least several others saying the complete opposite. That applies to legislators, lobbyists, and staff.

Comment by Anon Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:51 pm
===That applies to legislators, lobbyists, and staff. ===

Agreed.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 30, 16 @ 12:52 pm
The only way to put it to bed is to show the email.

The only thing a competent advisor would advise is to not show that email unless compelled by force of law.

Pickle.

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, May 30, 16 @ 2:18 pm
@Anon- great name.

Tp your point-You are correct, since I was contributing to the organization I am entitled to mine. If you have anything to refute my claim I am certainly wiling to listen. Until then, I stand by my words. Kea is a nice enough guy, I thought he was ineffective at the IPA.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, May 30, 16 @ 2:43 pm
Now being defended by some on the floor…in the information trading business have to learn what to say (or not and when or not to say it…Emails meh not so much.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Monday, May 30, 16 @ 4:36 pm
The blame should be put on Jeremy kudon from New York. Seems he has done this before. Someone should look into this guy.

Comment by Wow Monday, May 30, 16 @ 8:05 pm
Agreed. Heard this guy from orrick had done this before. Hello AG?

Comment by Save DeJuan Monday, May 30, 16 @ 8:07 pm
Can the AGor state attorney go after these guys. Come on. Doing this in this after blago!!!

Comment by Fantasy player Monday, May 30, 16 @ 8:20 pm
The blame should be put on the kudon character. See story be nervous and guilty! hears it’s happened before with him.

Comment by Agreed Monday, May 30, 16 @ 9:22 pm
Jeremy Kudon is totally to blame.

Comment by Expose Jeremy Monday, May 30, 16 @ 10:12 pm
So we don’t have a copy of the email, know who sent it, or who showed it to her and she won’t talk to anyone about it. Wouldn’t she want this guy in jail if her accusations are true?

Rita mayfield is a disgrace, lets fantasy bill die for the 2 million Illinoisans that play because of accusations about one lobbyist that she now refuses to talk about. I don’t understand what this had to do with voting on the bill, the casino lobby clearly got to her

Comment by Ritaiscorrupt Tuesday, May 31, 16 @ 8:40 am