How the Firms Know to Donate

Political operatives don't necessarily send explicit donation instructions to business owners.

Instead, according to insiders, businesses get invitations to fund-raising events. The number of invitations indicates how much money is expected - as many as 10 for one firm, at $1,000 apiece or more.

The invitation also tells donors how to make out the checks, even if they don't show for the event.

Recipients of government business are increasingly making donations to political action committees that have looser contribution limits and are harder to find in public databases. One committee controlled by Camden County Democratic operatives, the Leaders Fund, began in 2002 with a vague eight-word mission to support Democrats. It had collected six figures by year's end.

Thousands of dollars in Leaders Fund money have come from companies that received Camden recovery money, and those dollars have in turn gone to politicians around the state, winning South Jersey statewide influence over the selection of politicians, the creation of laws, and the hiring of government workers. - Matt Katz