Diageo spent $670,000 in first quarter lobbying government on underage drinking, taxes

Diageo spent $670,000 lobbying gov’t in 1Q

WASHINGTON — A unit of London-based spirits company Diageo PLC, which makes Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and other beverages, spent $670,000 in the first quarter lobbying the U.S. government, according to a recent disclosure form.

That’s up from the $410,000 that Diageo North America Inc. spent in the year-ago period, and the $570,000 it spent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Diageo lobbied on underage drinking, taxes on distilled spirits, food safety and other issues.

The company lobbied both arms of Congress, the Treasury Department, the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative in the January-through-March period, according to the form filed April 20 with the House clerk’s office.