ICYMI: Ruben Kihuen’s firm tied to FBI corruption investigation
In the latest round of scrutiny on Ruben Kihuen’s employer, the Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that “FBI agents recently subpoenaed records” from Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow “related to his campaign and business dealings with the Ramirez Group and its owners.” Kihuen is a principal at the Ramirez Group.
While Kihuen is frantically trying to distance himself from Barlow, the two have a long history together.
Most recently, Barlow was prominently featured in Kihuen’s official entry into the congressional race.
Kihuen was also a significant presence at Barlow’s 2015 campaign launch.
Clearly Kihuen and Barlow are close.
Kihuen’s shady firm is obviously involved in questionable practices, but now that FBI subpoenas are flying voters have every reason to wonder exactly how deep the rabbit hole goes.
NRCC Comment: “The more voters learn about Ruben Kihuen’s shady firm, the more questions they rightly have. As a principal at a firm tied to an FBI corruption investigation, what else can 4th District voters expect to find out about Kihuen in the coming weeks?” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Hunter
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Political firm tied to corruption investigation of Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow
Las Vegas Review-Journal
By Jeff German
September 28, 2016
http://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/political-firm-tied-corruption-investigation-las-vegas-councilman-ricki-barlow
A politically connected public relations firm has been tied to the corruption investigation of Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow, the Las Vegas Review-Journal has learned.
FBI agents recently subpoenaed records from Barlow related to his campaign and business dealings with the Ramirez Group and its owners in 2015 and 2016, according to a source close to the investigation.
Barlow’s campaign records show that he paid a total of $70,000 in consulting fees to the statewide company in March and May of last year.
The company, which has offices in Las Vegas and Reno, is run by Jacki Ramirez, who serves as its CEO, and her husband, Andres Ramirez, the company’s president. The couple did not return several calls for comment on Wednesday, but late in the day defense lawyer Chris Rasmussen said the company had received a subpoena for records.
“We confirm receipt of a subpoena and are cooperating fully with the government’s requests,” Rasmussen told the Review-Journal.
You can read the full piece here.