WHO: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check).
WHAT: Harkin received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $8,750 in 2006 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $3,000 in 2008; PMA Group (PAC) $1,000 in 2008 election cycle.
WHY IT’S DIRTY: Multiple members of these unions including several 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. Those convicted include at least 10 members of the Boilermakers, and 14 members of the IBEW. Amounts embezzled ranged from over $5,000 to over $100,000.
PMA Group (Paul Magliocchetti and Associates) was primarily a defense lobbying group based in Washington D.C. and closely linked to Rep. John Murtha, D-PA. PMA’ s offices were raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last year. In total, PMA Group’s employees and its political action committee have given current members of Congress $3.4 million since 1989, with 79 percent of that going to Democrats, according to OpenSecrets.org.
WILL HARKIN GIVE IT BACK? Harkin did not respond to a Washington Examiner request for comment.
THE SCORE:
Number of Democrats who have given it back: 0
Number of Republicans who have given it back: 0
Dirty Money is researched and written by Kevin Mooney, a Washington Examiner commentary section staff writer.
