The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ended its contract with a communications consultant after a review of phone records suggested he had spoken with a journalist who wrote stories raising questions about the business group, although the consultant denies the allegations, Politico reported Monday.

The Chamber terminated its contract with consultant Tom Collamore in May following a Wall Street Journal report that outlined the "pricey perks" enjoyed by CEO Tom Donohue and raised questions about the business group's waning political influence, according to Politico. The group reportedly checked Collamore's cell phone records and determined he had spoken with the Journal reporter.

Collamore was executive vice president and counselor to the president at the Chamber before starting his own strategic consulting firm last year. He continued to work with the business group as a consultant. Collamore disputed the allegations in a written statement, telling Politico that "any characterization suggesting I would share confidential information is patently false."

The Journal has run at least two stories questioning Donohue's travel expenses and other perks while raising questions about the group's political clout with the current administration. President Donald Trump has publicly clashed with the Chamber over its support for free trade, most recently saying he was thinking about dropping his membership in the group because of its criticism of his tariffs. The Chamber has not said whether Trump is a member. https://politi.co/31tWLWL

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