Imperial Sugar Subpoena And Controversy

Chambliss Refusing to Testify in Imperial Sugar Case Three weeks ago Saxby Chambliss was subpoenaed by attorneys representing families of several of the 14 people who died in the tragic Imperial Sugar plant explosion and fire that occurred near Savannah in February, 2008. Chambliss is accused of being part of an “effort to shift responsibility” from the company. Chambliss “Refusing” to Testify, Seeks To “Quash Subpoena" in Case. On November 14, WSAV reported that Chambliss’ attorneys were moving to quash the subpoena claiming that Chambliss has immunity because he is a U.S. Senator. The subpoena for Chambliss had been issued the Savannah Morning News reported, “…on behalf of four victims - two dead and two injured - of the Port Wentworth inferno that killed 14 and hurt scores of others… Savannah attorney Mark Tate says Chambliss might be part of an Imperial ‘effort to shift responsibility’ away from the company. The lawsuits, which Tate filed on behalf of the four victims and others, claim Imperial ‘wrongfully’ failed to remove hazards that caused the disaster.” [Savannah Morning News, 10/24/08; WSAV, 11/14/08] Like Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, who had his motion to quash a subpoena rejected in the "D.C. Madam" case, Chambliss is fighting a subpoena, claiming "immunity since he's a U.S. Senator." [UPI, 4/7/08, WSAV.com]

Chambliss Tried to Dissuade Family From Legal Action Chambliss met with family members of the victims and tried to dissuade them from filing a lawsuit against Imperial Sugar. The clients' 'impression' was that they were told 'it would be better to let the government

handle the matter than to litigate,' Tate said." [Savannah Morning News, 10/24/08, http://www.savannahnow.com/node/601053]

Chambliss Harassed Whistleblower at Congressional Hearing Chambliss “Verbally Mugged” the Imperial Whistleblower at a Senate Hearing. On July 30, 2008, the Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety held hearings on the Imperial Sugar explosion. During the testimony of Graham H. Graham, Saxby Chambliss, who is not even a member of the committee, entered the hearing room and “verbally mugged” Graham. Tom Barton of the Savannah Morning News said that from the outset it was clear that Chambliss had no intention of using the committee hearing as a fact-finding process. He added that Chambliss’s clear intent was to discredit Graham and to place the blame for the explosion squarely on Graham’s shoulders. [Savannah Morning News, 7/30/08; 8/1/08; 8/3/08] Chambliss Was Armed with Questions Given to Him By Imperial Lobbyists. Imperial has stated that they provided suggested questions to Senators for the hearing, but Chambliss denied having ever seen the questions. The subpoena that was issued asks Chambliss to provide all materials provided to him by Imperial as well as their lobbyists and law firm. Isakson who questioned the witnesses in a “respectful manner” said he didn’t use Imperial’s questions and released the questions the company gave the panel. [Savannah Morning News, 10/23/08; Savannah Morning News. 8/1/08] Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson Found Graham’s Testimony “Credible.” Chambliss’ treatment of Graham separated him from his Senate colleague Isakson. Isakson said, “I will say that I find Mr. Graham a credible witness.” [Savannah Morning News, 7/31/08; 8/1/08; 8/3/08; Associated Press 8/1/08; Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, 8/7/08]

Chambliss Opposes Stiffer Safety Measures Even After the Fire, Chambliss Opposed Tougher Dust Standards. At the July 29th Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety hearing, Chambliss continued to believe “that a standard is unnecessary and that it is the employer's responsibility to provide a safe workplace.” [Savannah Morning News, 2/16/08; Inside OHSA, 8/4/08] Amidst Calls for Increased Regulation, Chambliss Called for a Speedy Investigation So That “Imperial Sugar Can Move Ahead with Reconstruction of Its Facility” In the aftermath of the explosion there were calls for increased regulation to ensure a similar event would not occur. State Rep. Bob Bryant, “’I think it would be a great idea…We need to do everything we can to make sure nothing like this will ever happen again.’ and noted that a federal agency recommended such changes in 2006. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board urged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to set new standards to control dust.” Chambliss on the other hand called for a speedy resolution. Chambliss said he hoped the investigation moved “quickly ... so that Imperial Sugar can move ahead with reconstruction of its facility." [Savannah Morning News, 2/16/08]

Chambliss Denied Receiving Contributions from Imperial Chambliss Denied Receiving Contributions from Imperial Sugar In June 2008. “In fact, I did not receive a political contribution from Imperial Sugar in June 2008 as the paper reported.” [Saxby Chambliss, Op-Ed, Savannah Morning News, 8/4/08] Chambliss Took Cash From Imperial Sugar’s Lobbyist In June 2008. According to the Senate Public Records Office, George D. Baker at Williams & Jensen is a registered lobbyist for Imperial Sugar. According Federal Election Commission disclosure reports, Chambliss received the following donation from him: • 6/23/08 - $1,000 - Chambliss for Senate - George Baker, Attorney, Williams & Jensen

Chambliss Received Thousands From Imperial Chambliss Has Received At Least $74,000 From The Sugar Industry Since Entering The Senate. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Chambliss has received at least $74,000 from the sugar industry since entering the senate. His contributions are as follows: ƒ 2003-04 - $12,000 (#18 recipient in the Senate); ƒ 2005-06 - $36,500 (#1 recipient in the Senate); ƒ 2007-08 - $25,500 (#4 recipient in the Senate). Chambliss Has Received At Least $4,000 From Imperial Sugar and Its Lobbyists Since The Explosion And Fire On February 7th. According to disclosure reports from the Federal Election Commission, and lobby disclosure filings, Chambliss has received at least $4,000 in contributions from either lobbyists of Imperial Sugar, or members of their board of directors, since the accident took place on February 7th.The donations that Chambliss received since the accident are as follows: • 8/26/08 - $1,000 – Chambliss for Senate – Curtis Anderson, Imperial Sugar Board Member • 6/23/08 - $1,000 - Chambliss for Senate - George Baker, Attorney, Williams & Jensen • 4/7/08 - $1,000 – Chambliss for Senate – Williams and Jensen PPLC PAC • 3/31/08 - $1,000 - Chambliss for Senate - Patrick J. Pelley, Principal, Williams & Jensen [Senate Public Records Office, CQMoneyline.com]

In 2008, Chambliss Received $1000 From Imperial Sugar Lobbyist George Baker. According to Federal Election Commission reports, Chambliss received a $1,000 contribution from Imperial Sugar lobbyist George Baker on June 23rd, 2008. Lobbying disclosure forms show that Baker has been a lobbyist for Imperial Sugar for many years and was actively lobbying for them during the second quarter of 2008 when he contributed to Chambliss. [CQ MoneyLine; Williams & Jensen Lobbying Disclosure Forms, Senate Office of Public Records] Chambliss Has Received $2000 From Imperial Sugar Lobbyist Steven Hart. According to Federal Election Commission reports, Chambliss received a $1,000 contribution from Steven Hart on February 15th, 2007. Hart also contributed $1,000 to Chambliss on November 1st, 2001. Lobbying disclosure forms show Hart has lobbied for Imperial Sugar. [CQ MoneyLine; Williams & Jensen Lobbying Disclosure Forms, 2002, Senate Office of Public Records] Chambliss Received $1000 From Imperial Sugar Company’s Political Action Committee In 2007. According to disclosure reports from the Federal Election Commission, Chambliss received a $1000 contribution from Imperial Sugar Company Political Action Committee on June 8th, 2007. [CQMoneyline.com, Accessed 11/15/08] Imperial Sugar Board Member, Gaylord Coan, Has Donated $2000 To Chambliss. According to Congressional Quarterly’s “CQ Moneyline” database, Imperial Sugar board member, Gaylord O. Coan, contributed $1000 to Chambliss on March 1, 2002, and another $1000 on July 26th, 2005. [Moneyline.CQ.com, Accessed 11/13/08; http://www.imperialsugarcompany.com/fw/main/Directors_and_Officers-1073.html] Chambliss Has Received $3000 From Imperial Sugar Board Member, Curtis Anderson, Including $1000 After The Accident. According to Congressional Quarterly’s “CQ Moneyline” database, Imperial Sugar Board Member, Curtis Anderson, contributed $1000 to Chambliss on three different occasions: May 22nd, 2007, September 7th, 2007, and again on August 26th, 2008. [Moneyline.CQ.com, Accessed 11/13/08]