Sometimes we need to measure ethics in terms of the odds. That’s the case with a secretive fundraising event being held by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte tonight. The meeting, to which PAC representatives will bring thousands of dollars each, is being “hosted” by political mercenary Mary Matalin and a collection of lobbyists.

Many of those lobbyists have some overlap in the industries they represent. For example, both Anthony Principi and Maria Cino are lobbyists employed exclusively by pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer. Susan Hirschmann will be there too, and Pfizer is one of her clients. Given the interest of Pfizer in supporting politicians like Ayotte who oppose significant health care reforms, their presence is simple to evaluate.

What about the Cayman Islands finance presence at the Ayotte fundraiser, though? That’s not so easy to explain. Among the host lobbyists for Ayotte’s event tonight are Marc Lampkin and Candi Wolff. Lampkin represents both Cayman Finance and the Cayman Islands Financial Services Association. Candi Wolff represents Maples and Calder, a firm that specializes in finance-related activities in the Cayman Islands.

What are the chances that two lobbyists, working for two different lobbying firms, both representing the interests of Cayman Islands finance, would be hosts at the same fundraising event? I don’t even know how to calculate odds that low.

The role that Cayman Islands finance plays in tax evasion makes Ayotte’s connection to Lampkin and Wolff especially disturbing. Corporations and wealthy individuals have long been known to use accounts with financial firms based in the Cayman Islands as a tool for tax evasion, and for the laundering of money that’s been obtained through fraud and other criminal enterprises.

Kelly Ayotte is campaigning to represent New Hampshire. Why is she dealing with lobbyists representing Cayman Islands finance, at a meeting where money is exchanging hands? If I were a New Hampshire voter, I’d feel entitled to an explanation.

Tags: cayman islands, finance, kelly ayotte, new hampshire, senate, tax evasion