Potential Ethics Issues for Former Congressman

The New York Times reports that former Representative William D. Delahunt of Massachusetts, who started his own lobbying firm when he left government service last year, will earn $15,000 a month for helping the town of Hull, Mass. develop a wind energy project.  The potential issue arising from the deal is that, while he was in Congress, Mr. Delahunt earmarked $1.7 million for the same energy project.  His lobbying firm will be paid with money he created through Department of Energy grants during his final term in office.