Raided Lobby Firm Still a Force on Capitol Hill

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March 03, 2009 1:16 PM

Even as news of the investigation into mega-lobby firm PMA Group grows, Democrats are fighting efforts to check the tarnished group’s influence.

The FBI raided PMA’s offices last November, as well as the stately exurban mcMansion belonging to the firm’s founder, Paul Magliocchetti. The probe appears to center on suspected phony campaign donations tied to the group. (A spokesman for the group declined to comment.)

In what could politely be described as a rearguard action, Democratic lawmakers have defeated an effort to start a congressional ethics investigation into the firm. PMA operated in DC for many years, and funnelled millions of dollars into dozens of lawmakers' campaigns.

Now, we hear the Prince of Porkbusting, Sen. Tom Coburn, is pushing an amendment that would bar earmarks from going to clients of firms under federal investigation – and specifically names the PMA Group.  We’ll see how far that gets.

The firm did business with Democrats and Republicans, but enjoyed particularly strong ties to Dems, particularly House Defense Appropriations cardinal John P. Murtha (PA) and Rep. Jim Moran (VA).  Magliocchetti is said to be closely tied to Murtha; he was an aide on the defense appropriations panel before going into business for himself. While several lawmakers have said they are shedding PMA-linked donations, Murtha ($105,000 from PMA employees) and Moran (about $100,000) have so far held on to theirs.

After news of the FBI investigation broke, the firm announced it’s closing up shop at the end of March. But even in its waning days, it apparently has enjoyed some clout on the Hill: lawmakers inserted $8.8 million in directed earmarks for the firm’s clients into new legislation.

This post has been revised.