Tuesday, November 10, 2009

C.W. Bill Young among lawmakers named in House investigation

From the Buzz:


U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, is among a group of lawmakers under scrutiny by House ethics investigators looking at ties between defense appropriators and lobbyists, the Washington Post reported late Thursday.

The story is based on a confidential document posted online by a House staffer who has been fired. It shows investigators have been probing the relationship between seven members of the defense appropriations subcommittee and PMA, a lobbying firm founded by Paul Magliocchetti that has been under criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

But the chair of the House ethics committee, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif, issued a statement that said many lawmakers may be under review by the committee at any point in time. "No inference to any misconduct can be made from the fact that a matter is simply before the committee," she said in her statement.

Contribution records show Young has received $460,000 from PMA Group and its clients, according to OpenSecrets.org.
Young's ties to lobbyists recently came under scrutiny in another context -- for former staffers of his that now work for defense contractors. (background here) Young has faulted the report for insinuating impropriety.

And Young this summer tried to put some distance between himself and a St. Petersburg contractor, Conax Florida Corp, by withdrawing earmark requests after the company's offices were raided by the FBI. That investigation continues.

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