WHO: Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check).
WHAT: Sen. Menendez received the following dirty money. Communication Workers of America (PAC) $1,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $6,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. Service Employees International Union $1,000 in 2008 election cycle; $10,000 in 2006 election cycle. PMA Group (PAC) $2,000 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 Boilermakers have had at least 10 members convicted, while the IBEW has had at least 14. The United Steelworkers of America, which includes Paper, Allied-Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) has had at least 30 convictions among its membership. The amounts of embezzled funds range from over $5,000 to over $100,000.
The 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. The firm’s main 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 MENENDEZ GIVE IT BACK? Menendez 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
YOUR TURN: You can contact Sen. Menendez’s Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4744
Dirty Money is researched and written by Kevin Mooney of The Washington Examiner’s Commentary Staff.
