PMA Group: A Look Inside the Earmark Game

“Looking at Earmarks: Legislators for Sale?” examined some legislator’s records with respect to earmarks, provisions inserted into spending bills that target specific firms and products. That article looked at the range of earmarks given out, and corresponding campaign contributions from the recipients of a politician’s earmarks. FBI ABSCAM investigation target John Murtha [D-PA], James Moran [D-NJ], and Pete Viclosky [D-IN] all figured prominently, but the report showed a wide range of behaviors by politicians in both parties. In March 2009, Congressional Quarterly covered the story of former Murtha aide Paul Magliocchetti, whose PMA Group lobbying firm is at the center of an FBI probe following an FBI search of its suburban Virginia office in late 2008. The firm disbanded at the end of March 2009, but that hasn’t stopped the investigations. Including a more recent investigation into defective combat helmets… PMA: Earmarks and Contributions While charging nearly $107 million in lobbying fees, and growing from a start-up to the 11th largest lobbying firm in the USA at one point, the firm reportedly dispensed more than $1.5 million in political contributions via Magliochetti, 9 of his close relatives, and a Political Action Committee he controlled. Those contributions were made to key […]