A reader further clarifies:

I looked through that article and it pointed out that Fumento was lobbying
Monsanto on behalf of the Hudson Institute. He didn’t see a dime of that
money. The article points out that his salary didn’t change as a result of
Monsanto’s contribution. I think that’s much less problematic than, say,
taking money on a per-topical-column basis, as happened in another recent
case. Fumento was a good employee and said, “Look at how this research is
helping you. You should support my employer.” If he were to get a cut of
that money it would be problematic; as it is he just looks like the
think-tank version of a rainmaker.