WHO: Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as Card Check.
WHAT: Sen. Brown received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. Service Employees International Union (PAC) $1,000 in 2008 election cycle; $5,000 in 2006 election cycle. Paper, Allied-Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (now part of U.S. Steelworkers of America) (PAC) $5,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 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. At least 10 members of the Boilermakers and 14 IBEW members were among those convicted, while at least 30 members of the Paper, Allied-Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) were convicted. The AFGE has had at least eight convictions and the SEIU has had at least nine convictions. The amounts embezzled ranged from $5,000 to more than $100,000.
PMA Group (Paul Magliocchetti and Associates) was a defense lobbying group based in Washington D.C. and closely associated with Rep. John Murtha, D-PA. PMA’s former 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 BROWN GIVE IT BACK? Sen. Brown did not respond to the Examiner’s requests for comment.
THE SCORE:
Number of Democrats who have given it back: 0
Number of Republicans who have given it back: 0
YOUR TURN: You can contact Sen. Brown at 202-224-2315. Let us know if you get a response.
