Press

PRESS

May 27, 2010

Trading Earmarks for Campaign Contributions is Illegal, Really!

House Ethics, Earmarks, Ethics, Office of Congressional Ethics, Federal Agencies, Department of Justice, Lobbying, Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) announced it is referring evidence gathered in its investigation of the now-defunct lobbying firm PMA Group to the Department of Justice.

Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), said, “Finally! A congressional ethics body has taken a stand against the trade of campaign contributions for earmarks. It is way past time and this is a well-deserved rebuke to the do-nothing House Ethics Committee. The failure of the Ethics Committee to act following the OCE’s referral of the PMA investigation was deplorable. It was further evidence – as if any was needed – that the committee exists solely to provide cover for members who engage in unethical and illegal conduct.”

Sloan continued, “Trading earmarks for campaign contributions may be commonplace on Capitol Hill, but it is illegal. Now, it is up to the Department of Justice to restore what little faith Americans have in Congress by holding members who engage in such conduct accountable for their actions. Given the recent timidity of the Public Integrity Section, however, I’m not holding my breath.”

Click here to read the OCE's statement.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact David Merchant at 202.408.5565 or dmerchant@citizensforethics.org