Disclosure Links Bradley to Special-Interest Groups

In the two years between leaving the U.S. Senate and announcing his candidacy for president, Democrat Bill Bradley earned more than $2.5 million in speaking fees, much of it from special-interest groups, according to his income tax returns and financial disclosure statement released Monday.

Bradley, who did not seek reelection to the Senate in 1996, reported earning $2.7 million for speeches in 1997 and 1998, the statements indicated.

Several of the groups he addressed have issues before Congress, including Chase Manhattan Bank and the American Assn. of Health Plans.

Bradley also spoke to other special-interest groups and at colleges.

“In his time after the Senate, Bill Bradley focused on how to rebuild civic life in America, on restoring racial harmony and on advancing the cause of fundamental campaign finance reform. He also made a living,” Bradley spokesman Eric Hauser said.

Bradley stopped accepting speaking fees at the end of 1998.

Chris Lehane, a spokesman for Vice President Al Gore, Bradley’s rival for the Democratic nomination, countered: “Last week in New Hampshire, Sen. Bradley said he chose to leave the Senate so he could do things that he couldn’t do in the Senate. I guess that means taking millions in special-interest speaking fees and Wall Street consulting money.”

Bradley’s long list of speaking fees is at odds with his emphasis on the campaign trail as an advocate of overhauling the way political campaigns are funded, said Charles Lewis, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, a Washington watchdog group.

“He is deeply personally tied to some of the most powerful economic interests in the U.S.,” Lewis said. “That’s not illegal, but it does put him and some of his statements in some perspective.”

Overall, Bradley and his wife, Ernestine, reported earning $5.3 million during the two years. They paid $931,310 in federal income taxes in 1997 and $836,562 in 1998.

Last year, Bradley also earned $431,250 for advising three investment houses, including $100,000 for serving as vice chairman of J.P. Morgan’s International Council. The other vice chairman was former Secretary of State George Schultz. Bradley also was paid $200,000 as a senior advisor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.

Wall Street firms have been among the most generous supporters of Bradley’s presidential campaign. From July 1 to Sept. 30--when Bradley raised more money than Gore--he collected $167,200 from employees of Goldman Sachs; $75,450 from employees of Lehman Brothers; and $63,440 from employees of Merrill Lynch. Lehman employees earlier gave Bradley $81,500, and Merrill Lynch earlier contributed $58,500.