A spokeswoman for Mrs. Clinton said her campaign "will be reviewing" the I.P.A. contributions.

The story of I.P.A. underscores the perils politicians face when they accept money from companies they have not closely vetted for problems. It also exemplifies the ways some companies attempt to use relationships with prominent politicians — or the appearance of relationships — to promote themselves and burnish their images.

In one of the many lawsuits I.P.A. has been involved in, for example, the company filed papers saying it "holds honors" from former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Gerald Ford, Mrs. Clinton and former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas. On its Web site, the firm posts images of Mr. Burgess, wearing a tuxedo, standing with political celebrities like Mr. Bush and Mr. Clinton. Former clients said I.P.A. sales representatives would sometimes pull out those photos to impress them.

Just last week, in response to questions by The New York Times, Mr. Burgess invoked a presidential visit to the company. "Lots of people have very good things to say about us," he said, "including former President George Bush."

In one instance, Mr. Burgess seems to have garnered positive attention from his investment in politicians. Mr. Clinton's foundation publicized a pledge by I.P.A. last year to provide $10 million worth of free services to businesses damaged by natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina. The commitment raised the company's profile. Now, however, I.P.A. says that the pledge was "premature and unrealistic" because the storm damage drove away so many businesses that providing much consultation was impossible.

Jay Carson, a spokesman for Mr. Clinton, said that I.P.A. was one of many companies the foundation called on to answer the thousands of requests for help it received after the hurricane.

Like "many other dignitaries," Mr. Carson said, "President Clinton spoke to this company once more than four years ago."

Mr. Bush's chief of staff, Jean Becker, said that former President Bush had no personal relationship with I.P.A., and she expressed displeasure that Mr. Burgess would try to use his appearance at the company banquet as a character reference.