A firm linked to retiring Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) lost a $1.5 million contract in Louisiana after facing ethical questions there, The Denver Post reports.

Thinkstream Inc. was accused of improper lobbying in its attempt to get a no-bid state contract. The firm denies any wrongdoing and is threatening a lawsuit against state Supreme Court Justice Catherine D. "Kitty" Kimball for making the claim.

Thinkstream is at the center of allegations that Campbell and his office improperly lobbied to get the firm a $1.2 million no-bid federal contract. The Department of Justice has launched a criminal probe.

Thinkstream is half-owned by Michael Smith, an energy executive who was the chief fundraiser for Campbell's first Senate run in 1992, The Post reported.

Thinkstream used to be represented by the law and lobbying firm of Brownstein, Hyatt & Farber. The firm formerly employed Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Colorado's ex-attorney general, and David Barnhardt, the director of Interior's Congressional office.

Get the Story:
Firm in Campbell probe faced ethics questions in La. deal (The Denver Post 6/30)

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