http://www.nypost.com/seven/06082007/news/regionalnews/city_lobbyists_hit_44_million_jackpot_regionalnews_david_seifman_city_hall_bureau_chief.htm

New York Post

CITY LOBBYISTS HIT $44 MILLION JACKPOT

By DAVID SEIFMAN City Hall Bureau Chief

June 8, 2007 -- The income of firms lobbying the city leaped 22 percent last year to a record $44 million, the City Clerk's Office reported yesterday.

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Lobbyist Suri Kasirer shattered the $3 million barrier - further evidence of the industry's phenomenal growth.

Three years earlier, Kasirer pulled in just $1.1 million.

"Numbers and rankings are meaningless," she said. "The only thing important to me is working hard on behalf of those I represent and trying to do some good."

Kasirer's clients included:

* The American Cancer Society ($96,000).

* Cemusa, which won the fierce battle for a $1.3 billion street-furniture franchise ($97,000).

* Elad Properties, which is renovating The Plaza hotel ($115,000).

* The New-York Historical Society ($91,500).

* Safe Horizon, a victims'-services agency ($97,458).

The Mirram Group, led by former Bronx Democratic leader Roberto Ramirez, collected the single largest fee, $301,900, from the New York Yankees. At the time, the team was lining up support for a new stadium.

Other former city officials also thrived in the lobbying business.

The firm of Peter Vallone Sr., which opened in 2002 after he served as council speaker for 16 years, reported revenues of $1.6 million. In 2005, Vallone's firm, Constantinople Consulting, took in $1.2 million.

Guy Molinari, the former Staten Island borough president, hauled in $400,000 from four clients. Claire Schulman, the former Queens borough president, turned up on the lobbying list with one client who paid $10,000.

david.seifman@nypost.com