Lobbyist group with ties to Murtha closing next month

PMA Group, the lobbying firm under investigation for funneling illegal campaign contributions to members of congress, is closing at the end of next month, according to sources.

The firm was founded by Paul Magliochetti, who served as a top aide to defense appropriations subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa.  The company has been on a downward spiral since the FBI raided its Virginia offices in November and many lobbyists have already abandoned the once-highly profitable shop.

Murtha’s ties to the 20-year-old firm have put his reputation under a cloud. Over the past two decades, Murtha has received $167,400 in campaign contributions from PMA Group’s employees and its now-closed political action committee, according to a tally from the Center for Responsive Politics.

PMA worked with Murtha and other lawmakers to secure federal earmarks for its clients, who received more than $100 million in the 2008 spending bills, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group.Two other top members of the defense appropriations committee, Reps. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind. and Jim Moran, D-Va., received $271,500 and $171,200, respectively, since 1989. 

Murtha’s aides insist he is not a target in the investigation and has not been contacted by the FBI.