FCC chairman's top aide to leave in January

Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski's chief of staff will leave the agency in January, the Commission confirmed Wednesday.

“No one has done more than Eddie Lazarus to ensure that the FCC meets its vital mission to harness communications technology to benefit our economy and all Americans. Eddie has worked tirelessly to refocus the FCC on broadband Internet, and unleash its opportunities," Genachowski said. 

Lazarus served as an intermediary for lobbyists looking to weigh in policy issues and conducted negotiations on issues like net neutrality. Reports he was present at White House meetings where net neutrality was discussed were cited by House Republicans as evidence the controversial rules were politically motivated.

“His imprint is on so many of our initiatives: USF reform and the creation of the Connect America Fund; incentive auctions and other innovative policies to free up spectrum for licensed and unlicensed use; consumer empowerment around “bills shock” and increased consumer protection."

Lazarus came to the FCC from Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. He previously  served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and began his legal career as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun.