May/June 1996 Issue

The Wilson Memo

California’s Governor shows that he, too, is a secret friend of tobacco

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Notes for this Memo:

  • “Buffy” and “Jim” are most likely: Kathleen M. “Buffy” Linehan, who works overseas for Philip Morris; James W. Dyer, Philip Morris lobbyist, currently staff director for the House Appropriations Committee. The two worked in the same office in 1990.

  • Pete Wilson is the GOP governor of California. During the 1990 election, Wilson publicly said he would not take tobacco money, but later attended a Philip Morris-sponsored fundraiser that raised $100,000 for the state GOP. Later he claimed he was unaware of the company’s involvement. Hamish Maxwell, former CEO of Philip Morris, is the chairman of the executive committee; Mrs. Ehud is the wife of Ehud Houminer, CEO of Philip Morris USA; Bill Murray is the former president of Philip Morris.

  • The remaining $84,000 mentioned in the memo is unaccounted for. These contributions may not be traceable to tobacco.

  • Wilson has repeatedly tried to divert funds from California’s highly successful anti-smoking campaign. Court orders and lawsuits (brought by the American Lung Association, among others) have thwarted his efforts.

Back to Our Good Friend, the Governor

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“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

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