Ethics panel clears congress members, including Murtha
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House ethics committee today cleared all lawmakers, including the late Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, of wrongdoing in a probe of lobbying firm PMA Group.
The 10-member Committee on Standards and Official Conduct released a 305-page report today finding that the targeted members involved with now-shuttered PMA and Pittsburgh native Paul Magliocchetti did not consider campaign contributions a factor when requesting earmarks, nor did they solicit contributions in return for earmarks.
But the committee did find that "there is a widespread perception among corporations and lobbyists that campaign contributions provide enhanced access to members or a greater chance of obtaining earmarks."
Reps. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, James Moran, D-Va., Todd Tihart, R-Kan., Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., and Bill Young, R-Fla., were the other lawmakers targeted in the now-closed investigation.
All serve on the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense, which Mr. Murtha chaired. He died Feb. 8 of complications related to gall bladder surgery.
PMA closed last year after federal agents searched its offices and Mr. Magliocchetti's home, seeking evidence that he used friends and family to steer donations to members of Congress in violation of campaign finance laws.
First Published February 26, 2010 4:30 pm
