There is a full Bi-Partisan scandal in Congress that is not getting much attention involving the lobbying firm PMA. According to The Hill - "The firm’s [PMA] founder, Paul Magliocchetti, a former long-time aide on the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee, and others at his firm have been substantial donors to several Democratic lawmakers. For example, PMA employees have given Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) more than $134,000 in contributions, according to the Center for Responsive Politics." The FBI raided the firm's office and seized files in November, 2008.
Chet Edwards (D-TX17) has received almost $64,000 in campaign donations from PMA. This was explained away by Mr. Edwards by his saying a firm in District 17 was represented by PMA. So, now we know how much it costs to buy Chet's vote as chairman of military appropriations.
Paul Magliocchetti donated $1,000 to Chet Edwards in 2008. But other names pop up in connection with donations made to Edwards from employees of PMA as Mr. Magliocchetti used family members, friends, and employees to funnel money to Edwards' campaign coffers.
- Julie Giagardina - associate at PMA donated $1,000 in 2006.
- Rebecca Kingery-Derosa - comptroller at PMA donated $1,000 in 2006
- Richard Efford - associate at PMA donated $1,000 in 2008
- Joseph Littleton Iii - consultant for PMA donated $1,000 in 2008
- John Pugliese - consultant for PMA and also listed as Marriott/Host/Customer Relations [ wine somelier at the Marriott near the Florida vacation home of Magliocchetti] donated $2,500 from Sept. 26, 2005 to May 21, 2007
- Richard Kaelin - Govt. Relations And Leg. Counse, Pma donated $1,000 in 2004
But, there is even more to the story as a $3,500 campaign contribution from Jon Walker is considered. Again quoting The Hill, "Jon Walker is listed as a partner for EVAS Worldwide, a New Jersey-based aircraft safety company, and gave $19,000 to lawmakers as an EVAS employee, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records. That is more than 40 percent of the political contributions from the company’s employees overall." However, EVAS has never heard of Walker nor do they have any record of him ever being employed by them.
You can see that the list can grow as the search engines work. Pretty soon we are talking about real money here. Only an investigation of PMA's operations will allow the truth to be known.
Jeff Flake (R-AZ) is presenting legislation to investigate PMA and many Democrats have signed on to make that possible.
The $64,000 Question for Chet Edwards is: Will you sign on in suppport of Rep. Flake's legislation to investigate this Bi-Partisan scandal?
If Edwards will not support the investigate our question will be: What do you have to hide, Chet?
