Author: Berman, Rick
Recipient: Trach, Barbara
Notes The web site www.consumerdeception.com has an extensive expose' on Rick Berman, including his profile, exploits on behalf of industry and businesses that have associated with him. The profile begins on page http://www.consumerdeception.com/public.html
The web site has also done an extensive job tracking payments from Philip Morris to Rick Berman, as documented in tobacco industry documents:
Sep. 5, 1995 Berman’s initial approach to Philip Morris 2072148834-8836
Oct. 19,1995 Interoffice correspondence about Berman, plus Berman’s résumé 2072395887-5888
Nov. 3, 1995 Berman’s pitch to Philip Morris, “Change the Debate”plus Guest Choice Network’s structure 2047824004-4032
Nov. 25, 1995 Berman asks Philip Morris for $500,000 2072395949
Dec. 11, 1995 Berman asks Philip Morris for $600,000 2072395962
Dec. 15, 1995 Interoffice correspondence suggests that Philip Morris should back Berman 2072148761
Dec. 21, 1995 Philip Morris pledges $600,000 to Berman 2072395963
May 24, 1996 Berman asks Philip Morris for $300,000 2072395886
Mar. 26, 1996 A Philip Morris internal memo indicates plans to include Berman in the Philip Morris budget 2048257604
Mar. 28, 1996 Berman asks Philip Morris for $300,000 2048257603
May 29, 1996 Philip Morris voucher to Guest Choice for $200,000 2072395885
Jun. 5, 1996 Philip Morris acknowledges $200,000 to Guest Choice 2072395971
Jun. 25, 1996 Interoffice memo indicating that payments to Berman are “dues” and that no more than 10 percent is allowed for lobbying use 2072395955
Aug. 19, 1996 Berman asks Philip Morris for $200,000 to $300,000 2072395965
Aug. 20, 1996 Philip Morris voucher to Guest Choice for $200,000 2072395883
Aug. 22, 1996 Philip Morris contributes $200,000 to Guest Choice 2072395970
Dec. 10, 1996 Philip Morris contributes $500,000 to Guest Choice 2072395969
Dec. 16, 1996 Philip Morris voucher to Guest Choice for $250,000 2072395948
Apr. 1997 Guest Choice members, advisors, and agenda for 1997 to 1999; Guest Choice becomes the CCF 2072396001-6003
Jun. 23, 1997 Philip Morris contributes $350,000 to Guest Choice 2072395968
Oct. 24, 1997 Philip Morris contributes $350,000 to Guest Choice 2072395967
Nov. 8, 1998 Philip Morris contributes $300,000 to Guest Choice 2072396007
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In this 1995 letter to Philip Morris, Rick Berman (of the public affairs company Berman & Company) proposes PM form a front group called the "Guest Choice" network to do what Philip Morris' Accomodation Program had been unable to do: motivate restaurant owners to aggressively fight smoking restrictions while appearing to be acting on their own.
Berman says to PM, "...if you want to gain more ground quickly for the smokers' rights issue, the [Guest Choice] program must create a proactive, aggressive mentality by [restaurant] operators regarding government smoking bans..."
Berman describes how hiding Philip Morris' involvement in the group's creation would increase the group's ability to take more aggressive action:
"Additional benefit -- if externally perceived as driven by restaurant interests, there will be more flexibility and creativity allowed than if it is 'owned' by Phlip Morris. The American Beverage Institute, which opposes overly aggressive DWI laws, enjoys this profile."
PM took Mr. Berman's suggestions and formed the "Guest Choice Network." The group later changed its name to the "Center for Consumer Freedom," which also fights the organic food movement and promotes genetically engineered food. Rick Berman has also been associated with the American Beverage Institute, which also fronts for the tobacco industry.