After 30 years in business, one of the biggest lobbying firms in Washington DC suddenly closed its doors and left the staff wondering if they were even going to get paid.

How could this happen?

The Podesta Group was a very powerful lobbying group. John and Tony Podesta had been major players in DC for a long time.

According to the American Enterprise Institute:

In 1988, two enterprising brothers had an idea: Having served as aides for Democratic lawmakers and presidential candidates, the brothers would launch their own Washington lobbying firm.

Their knowledge of the process and their connections to top Democratic policymakers would be of immense value to their clients, and thus very enriching to the brothers.

Podesta Associates opened its doors in 1988, co-founded by John and Tony Podesta. The brothers didn't merely hang out a shingle and rest on their laurels, though. They worked hard and spent years building the business. Over three decades, the Podesta firm would grow. John would leave and return and leave again. The name would change, from Podesta Associates, to Podesta Mattoon, to the Podesta Group.