A lobbyist was involved in the Friends of Angelo, according to this Post report.

Another top executive weighed in: “Due to the Mayor’s (and his wife’s) potential influence and accessibility to media outlets and publications, [Countrywide should] offer him a refi and either give him a .25 credit toward the discount or a $500.00 credit toward closing costs. Either way, we’re showing our good faith.”

The lobbyist agreed, writing “for political and public relations reasons, I think this is a better option,” and the offer was passed along to [Billings, Montana Mayor Chuck] Tooley.