For those who like to track the movement of the proverbial revolving door, Generex Biotechnology has hired former Congressman Curt Weldon to lobby various government agencies and, specifically, help to develop business opportunites in Asia, notably China and Taiwan (see the statement). The selling point, however, may not be his expertise in biotech, but instead his ability to make interesting contacts overseas.

For those unfamiliar with Weldon, the Republican is a former small town mayor from Pennsylvania who had a 20-year stint in the House of Representatives from 1987 through 2007. Among his activities was spearheading the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, which was formed 15 years ago to raise awareness and research funding. He was also a member of the Science Committee and chaired the Defense Research Committee, which oversaw funding for the National Institutes of Health, among other entities.

He also served on the Select Committee on US National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of China, which was formed to investigate whether Clinton Administration waivers allowing US military contractors to transfer military technology to China damaged national security. The committee unanimously approved the final report, which concluded that national security was harmed, according to SourceWatch.

Weldon has a controversial past, however. In October 2006, the FBI raided the home of his daughter in connection with an investigation into influence peddling to aid her lobbying firm. The probe focused on his support of Itera International Energy, one of the world’s largest oil and gas firms, while the Russian company paid fees to Solutions North America, his daughter’s lobbying practice.

He was also scrutinized for interacting with Bogoljub Karic, a wealthy Serbian businessman who was barred from visiting or trading with the US because of his close ties to former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, who was charged with war crimes. Weldon was reportedly attempting to get Karic removed from the blacklist and, as it so happens, his daughter’s firm had a contract with the Karic family (see here, here and here).

In a statement, Generex ceo Mark Fletcher says that “we are delighted that Congressman Weldon has agreed to provide Generex with access to his vast global network of relationships, and to apply his expansive experience and expertise to the benefit of Generex.” Indeed.