William Pelham Barr January 2019
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William Pelham Barr January 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. 2 Top Takeaways From Research ............................................................................................. 4 Barr’s “Particularly Extensive” Corporate Background Ties Him To Major Issues Still Pending Before Justice Department, Other Federal Agencies ......................................................................................................... 4 Summary: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Background: Barr’s Close Corporate Ties And Their Pending Issues With Federal Agencies ......................................... 4 Barr Was Criticized For Excessive Compensation at Verizon, Approved Large Bonuses For Executives On Other Corporate Boards ........................................................................................................................... 10 Summary: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Background: Barr’s Involvement With Corporate Executive Compensation ............................................................... 10 Companies Tied To Barr Have Faced Major Regulatory Violations, Criminal Investigations ....................... 13 Summary: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Background: Regulatory Violations Of And Criminal Investigations Into Barr-Tied Companies .................................. 13 Barr Known For Aggressive Lobbying Tactics On Behalf Of Corporations ................................................... 18 Summary: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Background: Barr’s Aggressive, One-Sided Approach .................................................................................................. 18 Barr Has Criticized Mueller Investigation, Was Previously Vocal Critic Of Independent Counsel Law ......... 22 Summary: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Background: Barr’s Opposition To The Mueller Investigation And His Previous Criticism Of An Independent Counsel Law ............................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Barr Has Supported, Defended Controversial Trump Actions .................................................................... 23 Summary: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Background: Barr’s Support And Defense Of The White House .................................................................................. 23 Background: Barr’s Career ................................................................................................... 26 Trump Administration .............................................................................................................................. 26 Criticism of Mueller Investigation ................................................................................................................................ 26 Barr Previously Criticized Mueller Team For Political Donations, Was Regular Critic Of Independent Counsel Law .. 26 Previously: Mueller Ran Justice Department Criminal Division During Barr’s Term As General; Barr Praised Mueller’s FBI Leadership After 9/11. ........................................................................................................................................... 27 Barr Has Repeatedly Expressed Support For Controversial Trump Actions ................................................................. 28 Barr Criticized Trump’s Lack Of Senate Conferees ....................................................................................................... 30 Praise of Jeff Sessions .................................................................................................................................................. 30 George W. Bush Administration ............................................................................................................... 31 George H.W. Bush Administration ............................................................................................................ 32 Virginia Commission On Parole Abolition and Sentencing Reform ............................................................ 35 William & Mary Board of Visitors ............................................................................................................. 35 2 Background: Barr’s Corporate Work ................................................................................... 37 Dominion Energy ...................................................................................................................................... 37 Atlantic Coast Pipeline ................................................................................................................................................. 39 EPA Mercury Regulations ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Environmental/Regulatory Violations and Litigation ................................................................................................... 43 Time Warner ............................................................................................................................................ 45 Caterpillar ................................................................................................................................................ 47 Verizon/GTE ............................................................................................................................................. 49 Net Neutrality .............................................................................................................................................................. 56 Och-Ziff Capital Management Group ........................................................................................................ 58 Holcim US and Aggregate Industries Management ................................................................................... 60 Clipper Fund (2014 – 2016) ....................................................................................................................... 63 Selected Funds (1994 – 2016) ................................................................................................................... 63 Mastiff Mhor, LLC ..................................................................................................................................... 65 Background: Barr On The Issues .......................................................................................... 66 Criminal Justice Reform ............................................................................................................................ 66 Death Penalty ........................................................................................................................................... 67 Immigration ............................................................................................................................................. 67 LGBT ......................................................................................................................................................... 68 Background: Barr’s Campaign Activity ................................................................................. 69 Overview Of Campaign Positions .............................................................................................................. 69 Political Positions: ........................................................................................................................................................ 69 Press Highlights From Campaign Work ........................................................................................................................ 69 Federal Campaign Contributions ............................................................................................................... 70 Barr Has Made Over $580,000 In Federal Campaign Contributions: ........................................................................... 70 3 TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM RESEARCH Barr’s “Particularly Extensive” Corporate Background Ties Him To Major Issues Still Pending Before Justice Department, Other Federal Agencies SUMMARY: Since his days leading the Justice Department, Attorney General nominee William Barr has reportedly continued to stay “in touch” with its “leaders and staff.” Now poised to take over once again, Barr’s “particularly extensive” corporate background is coming to light, tying him to issues pending with the Justice Department and other federal agencies. Dominion is awaiting major decisions from the Federal