Fraudsters Turn Lobbyists, Launch AI Firm Using Fake Names

A Washington-based startup, LobbyMatic, which presents itself as an innovative service integrating AI into lobbying, is allegedly being covertly operated by two notorious far-right conspiracy theorists and convicted felons, Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, according to several former employees and corroborated by photo and email evidence. The company, which was founded last year, has drawn attention not only for its questionable leadership but also for its misleading business practices.

Wohl, who in 2022 was convicted of felony telecom fraud for a robocall campaign aimed at discouraging mail-in voting in predominantly Black neighborhoods, is reportedly running LobbyMatic under the pseudonym "Jay Klein." His associate, Burkman, also a convicted felon, is operating under the alias "Bill Sanders." Both individuals have a history of engaging in deceitful schemes and are now capitalizing on the current buzz around AI to market their new venture to unsuspecting clients.

Despite its dubious leadership, LobbyMatic managed to briefly attract notable clients, including Toyota, the consulting firm Boundary Stone Partners, and pharmaceutical company Lantheus. However, the company’s website conspicuously omits any mention of its leadership, a likely attempt to distance itself from Wohl and Burkman’s notorious reputations.

The decision to operate under false identities is seen as a continuation of the unethical behavior that has defined Wohl and Burkman’s careers. The former employees of LobbyMatic, some of whom resigned after discovering the true identities of their bosses, described the work environment as one riddled with deception. They noted that Wohl, under the guise of "Klein," often evaded scrutiny and acted out of touch with reality, while Burkman, under the name "Sanders," displayed similar behavior.

One employee recounted an experience of visiting a house in Arlington with "Sanders," only to later discover it was Burkman’s residence, infamous for being the site of previous press conferences where Wohl and Burkman pushed baseless conspiracy theories. Suspicion about Wohl’s true identity arose when the employee noticed hesitance in obtaining business licenses and overheard colleagues accidentally referring to "Klein" as Jacob. This led the employee to discreetly photograph Wohl and confirm his identity through a Google image search.

Other employees corroborated these findings, noting that Wohl’s and Burkman’s true identities were eventually exposed through online research and accidental slip-ups by colleagues. The use of pseudonyms and the employees' realization of the deception led to a growing discomfort among the staff, with some choosing to leave the company as a result.

Wohl and Burkman have a long history of engaging in fraudulent activities and spreading conspiracy theories. In addition to their recent telecom fraud conviction, the duo has been involved in numerous scandals, including staging a fake FBI raid on Burkman’s house in an attempt to deceive The Washington Post and falsely accusing public figures like Robert Mueller and Pete Buttigieg of sexual assault. Their previous schemes also involved creating fake news stories for political betting markets and attempting to frame Anthony Fauci in a fabricated assault claim.

LobbyMatic's marketing materials claim that the company offers AI-driven tools to enhance lobbying efficiency, such as monitoring Capitol Hill hearings and scheduling meetings with lawmakers. However, the experiences of former clients suggest that the service is far from reliable. Toyota, Lantheus, and Boundary Stone Partners all discontinued their trials with LobbyMatic after determining that the platform did not meet their needs, with some describing the company’s website and interactions as "nondescript" and lacking in substance.

Adding to the concerns about LobbyMatic’s legitimacy, the company has engaged in other questionable practices, such as fabricating a high-ranking employee, "Pat Smith," who supposedly serves as the VP of Growth. Despite having hundreds of LinkedIn connections and writing promotional articles, "Smith" appears to be a fictional character created by Wohl to facilitate introductions and lend credibility to the company.

The company's operations are further clouded by irregularities, including missed payrolls, incomplete security forms that mimic government employment documents, and unapproved renovations in its McLean, Virginia office. Public records searches revealed that LobbyMatic is not registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and the company lacks both a renovation permit and an occupancy permit for its office, raising additional legal and regulatory concerns.

In summary, LobbyMatic is a company that, despite its outward appearance as a legitimate AI-driven lobbying service, is mired in deception, questionable practices, and led by two individuals with a well-documented history of fraudulent behavior. The former employees' accounts and the company’s failure to adhere to basic legal requirements suggest that potential clients should approach LobbyMatic with extreme caution, if not avoid it altogether.