Lobbying firm Patriot Consulting announced its withdrawal from its $48,000 agreement with Penobscot County Friday, citing “negative publicity” for its reasoning to back away from the contract.

According to the Bangor Daily News, backlash against the partnership came after BDN published an article detailing the undisclosed business connection between Penobscot County commissioner Andre Cushing and owner of Patriot Consulting, Zach Lingley. Records indicate the two worked together as lobbyists last year, but Cushing didn’t recuse himself from voting to enter a contract with Lingley’s company.

The connection allegedly violates the County’s code of ethics. Cushing claims he disclosed his connection with Lingley to fellow commissioners Peter Baldacci and David Marshall prior to the vote on Jan. 31. Baldacci says he doesn’t remember Cushing admitting a conflict of interest and no record of the confession exists, which would normally be recorded.

Patriot Consulting wrote in a statement that they believed there had been no “ethical lapse on [their] part” and they are only stepping down due to the publics’ reaction.

The firm had been hired by Penobscot County to lobby for a new jail.