WHO: Sen. John Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check).
WHAT: Rockefeller received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $4,000 in 2008 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $3,000 in 2008 election cycle; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $5,000 in 2006 election cycle. United Steelworkers of America (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 election cycle. Service Employees International Union (PAC) $10,000 in 2008 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. that was raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last year. In total, PMA Group’s employees and its political action committee gave current members of Congress $3.4 million since 1989, with 79 percent of that going to Democrats, according to OpenSecrets.org.
WILL ROCKEFELLER GIVE IT BACK? Sen. Rockefeller 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
YOUR TURN: Rockefeller’s Washington, D.C. office telephone number is 202-224-6472
