As Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) was vetting a Las Vegas attorney to recommend to a federal judgeship last year, two partners at her law firm donated a combined $150,000 to a Reid-affiliated Super PAC.
While Reid's staff was reviewing the lawyer, Jennifer Dorsey, in May 2012, two senior partners at her law firm gave major money to Majority PAC, the Las Vegas Review Journal reports:
As Dorsey was being vetted by Reid, senior partners at her firm, Kemp, Jones & Coulthard, made contributions to Senate Majority PAC, a super PAC created by former Reid strategists to elect Democrats to the U.S. Senate. Reid, the Senate majority leader, and other leading Democrats traveled extensively last year to raise money for the PAC, which is co-chaired by a former Reid chief of staff.
Founding partner Will Kemp made a $100,000 contribution on May 1, 2012, according to campaign finance records. Founding partner J. Randall Jones made a $50,000 contribution on May 14, 2012.
Reid ultimately recommended Dorsey for the U.S. District Court in June of last year, and President Barack Obama nominated her for the position in September.
Dorsey also donated $2,500 to the PAC in March 2012 after mentioning her interest in becoming a judge. That donation was returned by Reid his office took her name into consideration, according to the LVRJ:
Reid declined comment on the firm’s contributions to the political action committee. His spokeswoman, Kristen Orthman, emphasized that Dorsey’s personal contribution to Reid’s campaign was returned as the senator weighed her possible nomination and wanted to avoid an appearance of conflict.
Founded by a former aide to Reid, Majority PAC is dedicated to electing Democratic Senate candidates.