Tobacco Documents Online

Billing Party No. 1999298.10

Abstract

One way Philip Morris (PM) curries favor among legislators is by inviting them to lavishly catered parties in nice places. Today's document shows just such activity in the state of Colorado. It is an invoice from the Epicurean Catering company to PM's Government Affairs Department for a catered party given on Sunday, October 31, 1999 in a Penthouse Suite at Mile High Stadium, during a Bronco game. Handwriting on the invoice shows that the party was attended by key Colorado legislators, as well as PM lobbyists and members of PM's legal department. The menu included: Spiced Jumbo shrimp Smoked baby back ribs Herb-crusted beef tenderloin Scalloped potatoes Caesar salad Haagen Dazs ice cream bars Mini cheesecakes Bar service One of the Colorado legislators who attended the party was State Senator Norma Anderson, who introduced Colorado's bill to divvy up the Master Settlement Agreement funds. Senator Anderson's bill called for a level of funding for tobacco prevention that was far below the amount recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for each state (25%). Sen. Anderson's bill recommended that the rest of the money be diverted to non-tobacco-related programs such as a reading program for elementary school-aged children, the Veteran's Fund, nursing programs, and other non-tobacco-related causes.

Similar invoices available among the documents show that Philip Morris holds such parties in Colorado fairly regularly and will easily spend $3,000-$4,000 for food alone on each occasion.

Fields

Quotes

Sold to:

Philip Morris/Kraft Inc. Government Affairs 8822 S. Ridgeland Rd. Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Ship to:

Penthouse Suite #46 Barb Whitney (303) 791-1425 New York Jets Bronco Stadium 01

Hospitality/Catering Bill

01/31/99

Spiced Jumbo Shrimp Chips and Salsa and Guacamole Smoked Baby Back Ribs Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin Scalloped Potatoes Caesar Salad Haagen Dazs Bars Mini Cheesecakes Guestware Bar Service Bartender charge Service Charge Parking Reimbursement Linen charge Heatlamp charge City Surcharge

Total $2,846.66

Company

Philip Morris

Author

Epicurean Catering

Recipient

Philip Morris/Kraft, Inc. Government Affairs

Region

Colorado

Named Organization

Epicurean Catering (Denver catering firm hired by Philip Morris Gov't Affairs De)

Kraft General Foods Inc. (A unit of Philip Morris, circa 1994)

A unit of Philip Morris, circa 1994

PMMC (Philip Morris Management Corporation)

Philip Morris Management Corporation

Litigation

Feda/Produced

Named Person

Anderson, Norma (CO State Senator who introduced bill in 1999 to divvy up tob)

Anderson's bill required that less than 15% of the Master Settlement Agreement funds in Colorado go towards tobacco education, prevention & cessation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that a minimum of 25% of settlement funds be put towards tobacco control in each states to help reduce tobacco use in the U.S.

Corwin, Ginny (PM Lobbyist, State Gov't Relations, Colorado, c. 1998)

Ginny Corwin is also registered as a lobbying for Philip Morris in Colorado. Prior to working for PM directly, Ginny Corwin served as a consultant to Philip Morris promoting their Accommodation program.

Groff, Regis - retired Colorado legislator

Lampe, K.

Larson, M.

Lawson, A.

Tanner, Gloria Sen. (Colorado State Senator c. 1999)

Valdez, Ruben (Lobbyist for the tobacco industry in Colorado)

Whitney, Barbara (Philip Morris Management Corp., Gov't Affairs Dept, Region 1)

Type

INVO, PAY REQUEST, INVOICE

Subject

lobbying

political expenditure

political interference