New rules restricting lobbyists’ contact with executive branch officials regarding stimulus spending are apparently avoided by having non-lobbyists make the contacts.

The Wall Street Journal reports lobbyists are instead sending company executives, lawyers or consultants to meet with federal officials on their behalf. Washington-based registered lobbyist Rich Gold says: “Where there’s any issue, it’s just easier to hand it off to somebody who’s not registered… people are helping out who normally wouldn’t be engaged in this.”