WHO: Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ, a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check).
WHAT: Rep. Holt received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $2,500 in 2008 election cycle; $4,500 in 2006 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $3,000 in 2008 election cycle; $4,500 in 2006 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. Service Employees International Union (PAC) $1,000 in 2008 election cycle; $1,000 in 2006 election cycle. PMA Group (PAC) $1,000 in 2008 election cycle.
WHY IT’S DIRTY: At least eight 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. The Boilermakers have had at least 10 of its members convicted and the IBEW has had at least 14. The amounts of embezzled funds range 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 associated with Rep. John Murtha, D-PA, PMA’s office was 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 HOLT GIVE IT BACK? Holt did not respond to a phone call requesting comment.
THE SCORE:
Number of Democrats who have given it back: 0
Number of Republicans who have given it back: 0
