(This posting has changed since it was first posted.)
by Frank James
Back in 2006 when House Democrats stormed back into power after pledging to end what they called the Republican's "culture of corruption," the cynical among us knew it would only be a matter of time before some Democrats found themselves linked to Federal Bureau of Investigation raids. About the only bipartisan thing in Washington is the way money and power lead to excess in both parties.
Which is why few Washington watchers are shocked that a lobbying firm tied to one of the House's most influential members, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), has become the target of an FBI investigation. As have defense contractors Kuchera Defense Systems and Kuchera Industries which are based in Murtha's western Pennsylvania district.
We haven't written about this in The Swamp only because blogging on Washington these days is like trying to drink from a fire hydrant: there's so much coming at you it's hard to get it all.
But I was reminded by an NPR report on its Morning Edition program this morning of the investigation of PMA Group, a lobbying firm, that I at least wanted to point readers to some of the coverage of this story which bears watching.
As Peter Overby of NPR reported:
The PMA Group was founded 20 years ago by Paul Magliocchetti, who was a longtime aide to Murtha. It has specialized in lobbying the House Appropriations Committee, for which Murtha heads the subcommittee on defense. PMA also has ties to several other committee Democrats.
Over the past 10 years, the firm made nearly $114 million in lobbying fees, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And its clients have done very well.
In fiscal 2008, clients got a total of 154 earmarks, or special spending provisions that appropriators wrote just for them.
But at the end of last year, two things happened. The firm's principals couldn't agree over financial terms as Magliocchetti moved toward retirement. PMA's lobbyists began heading for the exit, and FBI agents raided the office and carted off boxes of documents.
Now PMA is all but defunct, and some lawmakers are divesting themselves of contributions from PMA donors.
The case delivers a jarring blow to congressional Democrats, who won control of Capitol Hill in 2006 with a promise to "drain the swamp."
One red flag for investigators evidently involves the way some campaign donations were given. The report continues:
The company itself can't give donations. The money came from PMA's 35 employees and from its political action committee.
Among the PMA donors were two of the company's board members, who are friends of Magliocchetti from Florida, where he has a beach condo. In campaign reports, contributions from the two Floridians often appear to be coordinated -- same day, same dollar amount, same recipient.
That could suggest PMA was making the contributions in their names, which would be illegal.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post had a fairly comprehensive report last week as well reported by Carol D. Leonnig and Paul Kane. An excerpt:
Two separate federal raids at the Virginia offices of a lobbying powerhouse and at the Pennsylvania headquarters of a defense contractor have one thing in common: Both businesses have made millions from federal earmark projects arranged by Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.).
Sources familiar with the probes say the FBI is looking at whether the PMA Group, a lobbying firm founded by a former Murtha aide, arranged contributions to Murtha and other House Democrats that may have violated federal election laws. In the January raid at the offices of Kuchera Industries, sources said, investigators requested a broad range of documents from the company and its sister firms, and are examining the possible improper use of federal money at a hunting club owned by the company's co-founder.
Murtha's spokesman said the congressman has not been contacted by investigators and has no reason to believe that the raids are related to him. Murtha, a powerful member of the House Appropriations Committee, arranged hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks for defense firms, which have donated generously to him.
"No one is suggesting that Jack Murtha is involved, has anything to do with this. Period," spokesman Matthew Mazonkey said.
Actually, Republican bloggers have suggested Murtha is involved though you have to look at those partisan attacks with a grain of salt.
CQ politics also weighs in with an interesting story. It turns out almost quarter of the House got earmarks for PMA clients in a 2008 defense appropriations bill.
More than 100 House members secured earmarks in a major spending bill for clients of a single lobbying firm -- The PMA Group -- known for its close ties to John P. Murtha , the congressman in charge of Pentagon appropriations.
"It shows you how good they were," said Keith Ashdown, chief investigator at the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. "The sheer coordination of that would take an army to finish."
PMA's offices have been raided, and the firm closed its political action committee last week amid reports that the FBI is investigating possibly illegal campaign contributions to Murtha and other lawmakers.
No matter what the outcome of the federal investigation, PMA's earmark success illustrates how a well-connected lobbying firm operates on Capitol Hill. And earmark accountability rules imposed by the Democrats in 2007 make it possible to see how extensively PMA worked the Hill for its clients.
The big problem is how members of Congress get donations from people who benefit from earmarks. While it's legal, it looks a whole lot like pay-to-play or legalized bribery. The only way to stop that practice would be to outright ban contributions from those who receive a benefit from particular legislation.
But that would be next to impossible to police and probably unconstitutional. How do you stop an individual from making to campaign contribution to the candidate of his choice without violating that citizen's free speech rights?
Comments
Murtha is beginning to lookguility.
If so hope he is punished and his fellowCongressmen don't stand up for him.
Posted by: Inky | February 19, 2009 10:27 AM
It's too bad that we aren't focusing on the corruption of the Wall Streeters, the Bankers, the Corporations, as much as we do, the elected officials. I guess that's one way to allow the culture of corruption to procreate, keep that feeding tube intact, from the monied interests !! How many people went to jail for the S&L scandal, the Wall Street/Banking scandal of 2008, the Enron scandal, the 600 Billion Dollar PROFIT gouging scandal, by Exxon/Mobil, 2007, over 6 years. I could go on, the Drug Corps and their use of Americans, as guinea pigs, on their new " drug " testing !! We all know, that under the Bush administrations, and others, Corporations have been allowed to flaunt the rules, if not ignore them. No, elected officials are easier pickings, and less likely to put up a fight. Why don't you get some investigative reporters out there and find some serious crookery !! I know, it cost too much, it will affect our bottom line and, thus, our handsome paychecks !! The Fourth Estate has abdicated its sacred position, as defender of the defenseless, in favor of its Corporate Sponsors !! Wave good-by to the good ship, America, she has left our shores, for more lucrative moorings !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | February 19, 2009 10:34 AM
Are there any dems left that aren't corrupt?
Murtha and Durbin should start a, hate our military club.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 19, 2009 10:46 AM
Democrats corrupt? Perish the thought! We all know that the Boy Wonder is as pure as the wind-driven snow.
By the way, I have some prime Arizona beachfront realty to sell anyone who believes that.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | February 19, 2009 11:19 AM
Frank James claims above that "We haven't written about this [investigation of Democrat Murtha] in The Swamp only because blogging on Washington these days is like trying to drink from a fire hydrant: there's so much coming at you it's hard to get it all."
What a crock. We all know that if Murtha was a Republican, Frank James would have reported this story (which has been out for a week) sooner. Best proof? The "too busy" Frank James found time yesterday to write an article on Shaquille O"Neal's shoe!
Posted by: Inconvenient Truth | February 19, 2009 12:19 PM
Don, dear, many Wall Streeters and CEOs are under investigation or have been arrested in recent years. But the reality is, when it comes to corruption, there is no better criminal outfit than the Democratic party: Murtha, Pelosi, Obama, Clintons, Jefferson, Spitzer, Blago, Daleys, Durbin, Reid, Rangel, Schumer, Strogers, just about any Democratic politician from Chicago and Illinois, for that matter, and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on.
Posted by: John D | February 19, 2009 12:29 PM
Do you honestly expect anything BUT corruption from people like Burris, Blago, Rangel, Rahm, and Dodd? With Rangel and Dodd the people who created the mortgage are in charge of writing our tax code and with Turbotax Tim at the Treasury a tax cheat is now in charge of the IRS. What could possibly go wrong?
I can't wait for the campaign ads showing Nancy Pelosi saying "culture of corruption."
Posted by: Jeff | February 19, 2009 12:59 PM
Wouldn't it be doubly ironic if Arizona soon has beachfront realty as a result of years of Republican petro-lobby corruption?
Posted by: Nelson Leith | February 19, 2009 1:09 PM
Well, the overbuilt military is part of the problem.
Read Chalmers Johnson.
Too big too bloated and always ready for the last war.
Letting too many ex cons, felons on waivers, into the military.
You could go on and on.
But corruption is everywhere.
Just more visible now that "the tide has gone out".
This may be Obama's achilles' heel. To be embarrassed by his own party. Not just gaffes by Biden and Holder and Burris.
Abramoff type stuff.
Can't have that.
Need Pat Fitzgerald types in Criminal Division at DOJ.
Posted by: ornery | February 19, 2009 2:17 PM
Corrupt Culture and dems - isn't that redundant?
Posted by: Terry | February 19, 2009 7:05 PM
Disgusting.
But wasn't it a Dem congress that passed laws that now make these investigations more likely to succeed?
And I see that over 100 Reps got something like $1.5 million in contributions. Of course it’s not the dollar value, it’s the ethics values that matter. But that’s pretty small change with all that’s going on now. That wouldn’t pay for more than a few hours of the war in Iraq.
A thoughtful post above points to the Pentagon budget--that feeding trough is large and tempting, but for now, it can't be abandoned. Another culprit is the constitution. A 2-year term for Congress is too short, and puts pressures on fundraising. Campaign financing also fits in here as a culprit.
Human greed, a sense of invulnerability, and a sense of being above the law--these are at the heart of the problem. But if anyone thought human nature was angelic, and that Congress could be self-regulating, I have a bridge to sell you, as well as some AAA rated mortgage-backed securities.
Posted by: DesJay | February 20, 2009 8:13 AM
I bet Rod Blago is even more confused now…..he probably doesn’t understand why HE got in so much trouble but everyone else gets away with it….
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1531053/pay_to_play_more_revelations_regarding.html?singlepage=true&cat=75
mB
Posted by: mjB | March 12, 2009 12:16 PM