Finneran registers as state lobbyist

Thomas M. Finneran plans to continue his duties on WRKO. (GEORGE RIZER/GLOBE STAFF/FILE 2007)

Talk radio host and former House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran registered as a Beacon Hill lobbyist this week and formed a firm called Finneran Global Strategies, despite concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

He said he notified management at WRKO-AM, where he hosts the morning drive-time slot, that he has signed his first client, the Liquor Liability Joint Underwriting Association of Massachusetts. Yesterday, Finneran said his contract has always allowed him to register as a lobbyist.

"My contract does say, specifically, that I can write, teach, make public appearances, lobby, consult, and advise on behalf of any lawful enterprise," he said. "They are very, very much aware that I am forming the firm and representing" the client.

Marci Tyldesley, a spokeswoman for WRKO's parent company Entercom, would not comment on whether Finneran's contract allowed him to lobby. The Globe reported in February that the station had rejected Finneran's plan to lobby.

In a statement yesterday, Tyldesley said, "Entercom has expressed its concern to Tom about becoming a lobbyist. Entercom will carefully monitor the situation."

Critics have said working for special interests could introduce bias into his show, "Finneran's Forum."

"For a serious news organization, it would be unthinkable," said Stephen Burgard, director of the school of journalism at Northeastern University. Finneran's plan could raise questions about his agenda on-air and might require him to recuse himself from talking about some topics, Burgard said.

"Clearly, talk radio is partially entertainment and his job is to be interesting," Burgard said, but "even under those circumstances there are credibility issues."

Finneran said he would reveal that he was working for specific clients if his show touched on areas where he had a financial interest. "The only way a radio talk show host has credibility is if they have transparency," Finneran said.

Finneran became a radio host last year, after he was forced out as president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Finneran left the high-profile position after pleading guilty in January 2007 to federal obstruction of justice charges connected to testimony he gave during a redistricting lawsuit. He has also been disbarred.

Finneran said that he expects the firm's main business to be consulting and strategic planning. He also emphasized that he does not anticipate spending much time walking the halls of the State House, but still registered as a lobbyist on the advice of his attorney.

Burgard said Finneran's move opens up questions for his WRKO bosses and listeners. "The public is going to be the final judge."

Carolyn Y. Johnson can be reached at cjohnson@globe.com.

Correction: Because of a reporting error, stories in the City & Region section on Jan. 29, Feb. 9, and in the Business section on Wednesday incorrectly said former House speaker Thomas Finneran had been disbarred; in fact, Finneran's law license has been suspended pending a recommendation to the court from the Board of Bar Overseers. The stories on Jan. 29 and Feb. 9 also incorrectly gave the name of one of Finneran's lobbying clients, the Liquor Liability Joint Underwriting Association of Massachusetts.