DIRTY MONEY WATCH: Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)
By: Kevin Mooney
Commentary Staff Writer
August 28, 2009
WHO: Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check)
WHAT: McCollum received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $1,000 in 2010 election cycle; $10,000 in 2008 election cycle; $5,500 in 2006 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $1,000 in 2010 election cycle; $2,000 in 2008 election cycle; $2,000 in 2006 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 election cycle; $2,500 in 2006 election cycle. The Service Employees International Union (PAC) $4,500 in 2008 election cycle; $2,500 in 2006 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 election cycle. United Steelworkers of America (PAC) $5,000 in 2008 election cycle; $5,000 in 2006 election cycle.
WHY IT'S DIRTY: Multiple officers and members of these unions, including division presidents, secretary-treasurers and business managers, have been convicted since 2001 of felonies ranging from embezzlement, falsifying official reports to government, mail fraud and conspiracy. The Communication Workers of America and the American Federation of Government Employees have had eight convictions, The Service Employees International Union has had nine convictions and The Boilermakers have had 10 members convicted, while the IBEW has had 14 members convicted. The amounts of embezzled funds range from over $5,000 to over $100,000.
WHAT: PMA Group (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle.
WHY IT'S DIRTY: PMA Group (Paul Magliocchetti and Associates) was a defense lobbying group that is now the focus of multiple federal investigations concerning allegations of influence peddling and other corrupt activities, mostly associated with earmarks. Before it was disbanded earlier this year, PMA Group's employees and its political action committee gave current members of Congress $3.4 million between 1989 and 2008, with 79 percent of that going to Democrats, according to OpenSecrets.org.
WILL MCCOLLUM GIVE IT BACK: McCollum did not respond to The Examiner's request for comment.
THE SCORE:
Number of Democrats who have given it back: 0
Number of Republicans who have given it back: 0
Gave donation to charity: Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas)
YOUR TURN: You can reach Rep. McCollum's Washington D.C. office at 202-225-6631
Don't know who is your congressman? Go to http://www.house.gov/and look in the upper left-hand corner. Don't know who are your state's two senators? Go to http://www.senate.gov/and look in the upper right-hand corner.
Dirty Money is researched and written by Kevin Mooney of the The Washington Examiner's commentary staff
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