Lehman lobbies, briefly

Lehman Brothers, the securities broker and investment bank now in bankruptcy, briefly lobbied federal lawmakers in the last two months.

The firm, which collapsed in 2008 and was never bailed out by the federal government, spent nearly $600,000 lobbying in 2008, according to congressional records. Once it collapsed, Lehman stopped lobbying.

Lehman’s downfall helped trigger the broader financial crisis and prompted lawmakers to seek emergency bailout funds for wide swaths of the industry.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., the firm that is now in bankruptcy, spent $50,000 lobbying in December and January, according to a recent registration form.

The law firm Steptoe & Johnson registered to lobby for Lehman Brothers on tax issues, congressional records say. Among the issues listed are net operating loss rules.

A Lehman spokeswoman said lobbyists were notified over the weekend to end the contract.

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