3 Lawmakers Will Return Money Tied to Lobbyist
By
DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
WASHINGTON ? Three lawmakers said Tuesday that they were returning campaign contributions from donors listed as employees of the PMA Group, a Washington lobbying firm whose founder is under investigation for purportedly funneling money through bogus donors.
The decision by the three lawmakers ? Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, and Representatives Zoe Lofgren of California and Peter J. Visclosky of Indiana, all Democrats ? puts new pressure on others who received cash from the PMA Group and its founder, Paul Magliocchetti.
Other big beneficiaries include Representative
John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who is chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee; Representative James P. Moran, a Virginia Democrat on the panel; and Representative Alan B. Mollohan, the West Virginia Democrat who is chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, among other things.
Mr. Murtha, who received the most donations from PMA?s employees and clients, was a mentor to Mr. Magliocchetti, who was once on the staff of the defense appropriations subcommittee. Mr. Murtha, Mr. Visclosky, Mr. Moran and Mr. Mollohan have all earmarked millions of dollars in federal money for the PMA Group?s clients.
