U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has been named one of the most corrupt in Congress by a watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable.
The nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named the Johnstown Democrat in its third annual report issued Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
The group says the 22 members listed were selected because of “their egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities (as) the most tainted members.’
Murtha, 75, a congressman for 36 years, was chosen because of alleged ethics violations stemming “from abuse of his position on the subcommittee to benefit the lobbying firm of a former long-term staffer and for threatening to block earmarks of other members for political purposes,” the group said.
Murtha, through his spokesman Matthew Mazonkey, declined to comment.
The Associated Press recently said Murtha received more earmarks – money designated for projects in his home district – than anyone else.
Last year, Murtha was a listed as a “dishonorable member” to be watched, but he “moved up this year,” said Melanie Sloan, CREW executive director.
Pushing him up onto the list, Sloan said, was Murtha’s “threatening a House member for criticizing earmarks. That’s a clear violation of House ethics.”
In May, the congressman did not dispute claims he charged across the House floor to confront Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., after Rogers had tried unsuccessfully to strike $23 million Murtha had earmarked for the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown.
Rogers declined to file a formal ethics complaint and a Republican resolution aimed at reprimanding Murtha was killed 219-189, largely along party lines.
CREW, in its report, said that Paul Magliocchetti – the founder of PMA Group – a prominent Washington defense lobbying firm – worked with Murtha as a senior staffer on the defense subcommittee for 10 years.
It and its clients have become major contributors to Murtha’s campaign committee.
In the 2006 campaign cycle, PMA Group and 11 of its clients ranked in the top 20 contributors to Murtha, having made contributions totaling $275,000, the watchdog group said.
In the 2004 and 2002 cycles, PMA and nine of its clients ranked in the top 20, contributing $237,000 and $279,000 respectively in those years.
In turn, PMA’s clients have benefited significantly from Murtha’s earmarks, CREW said.
In the 2006 Defense appropriations bill, PMA clients received at least 60 earmarks totaling $95.1 million.
In this 2008 election cycle, the PMA group and its clients have contributed $106,000 to Murtha’s campaign committee and PAC.
Murtha also came under fire for a $1 million earmark he inserted in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill this year to establish the Center for Instrumental Critical Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Concurrent Technologies Corp. of Richland Township.
CTC itself has received hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in recent years, the watchdog group noted.
“Contrary to Rep. Murtha’s claims, the Department of Energy has denied supporting the request for the earmark,” CREW said.
The center is to improve and safeguard the state’s energy pipeline systems. CTC said it would be assisted by Carnegie Mellon University on the project.
The watchdog group said that, since 2002, CTC’s employees and employees’ family members have donated more than $115,000 to Murtha’s political committees and leadership PAC.
Local News
Watchdog group ranks Murtha among most corrupt
- Local News
-
-
Richland manufacturer showcases expansion
Business and government leaders gathered Monday at a Richland Township manufacturing company to celebrate the expansion of its export business, made possible through some cooperative government programs.
-
New jury to hear Blair case
The 12 jury members and two alternates chosen nearly a month ago to decide the fate of Nicholas Adam Horner were excused on Monday by Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva.
-
Blogging with heart
Launching into the second week of American Heart Month, I'm looking at stories on the leading-edge treatment options and how local heart specialists are helping patients live longer.
-
Marijuana bust: Police seeking runaway seize dozens of pot plants
City police looking for a runaway juvenile stumbled onto a marijuana “grow operation,” seized more than 40 pot plants and arrested two apartment house neighbors.
-
Former speaker convicted
A jury on Monday convicted a senior Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on all but one of six charges in the latest corruption trial stemming from a five-year investigation into the use of taxpayers’ resources for political purposes.
-
‘Dramatic’ Pa. budget cuts expected
Top state senators say they expect Gov. Tom Corbett to propose a budget plan today that relies on cuts in spending for education and social services to balance sluggish tax collections and the rising costs of pensions and debt.
-
ACRP seeks partners for neighborhood gardens
A few years ago, the Alternative Community Resource Program and its partners planted a garden alongside Napoleon Street in a move to fill both hungry stomachs and a need for neighborhood rejuvenation.
-
‘Hope for the future’: Workshops offer confidence boost to cancer patients
Chances are when you look good you feel better about yourself.
-
Police Roundup: Martindale man accused of trying to enter cars at Portage dealership
A Portage-area man has been charged with criminal attempt at theft after state police said he was discovered trying to enter three vehicles in the parking lot of Stager’s Chevrolet.
-
In brief: Fire destroys windmill turbine
Fire destroyed a windmill turbine at the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm on top of the mountain in Blair County between Blue Knob and Lilly on Monday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
