Congressmen Murphy, Murtha on CREW group's 'most corrupt' list

11 Sep 2008 // Two of the Mon-Yough area's U.S. representatives are among 20 listed as being the "most corrupt members of Congress" by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

CREW leveled allegations Wednesday against U.S. Reps. John Murtha, D-Westmont, and Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.

They were among 14 Republicans and six Democrats on CREW's list, with three Republicans and a Democrat getting "dishonorable mention."

In Murphy's case, it is alleged that the 18th District congressman "currently is the target of a Department of Justice investigation."

"Rep. Murphy is not now, nor has he ever been a target of the Department of Justice," Murphy campaign spokesman Bob Holste said.

Mary Beth Buchanan, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, declined comment.

In Murtha's case, it is alleged that the 12th District congressman's "ethics violations stem from abuse of his position on the (Defense Appropriations) Subcommittee to benefit the lobbying firm of a former long-term staffer and from threatening to block earmarks of other members for political purposes."

"Their continued argument is that he secures federal funding for local companies," Murtha spokesman Matthew Mazonkey said. "Isn't the job of every elected official, to do what's in the best interest of their constituents?"

The former staffer, Paul Magliocchetti, founded the PMA Group after working with Murtha as a senior subcommittee staffer for 10 years.

The report also talked about federal earmarks for such entities as Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Conemaugh Health Systems, DRS Technologies, L. Robert Kimball & Associates, MTS Technologies and Windber Research Institute, alleging that all also donated to Murtha campaigns.

"The funding that Mr. Murtha brings back to Pennsylvania, whether it's funding for new roads, for health care improvements, or for defense research and production programs, has created jobs and made our region a better place to both live and work," Mazonkey said. "That's his job."

Holste went on to assail CREW and its executive director Melanie Sloan.

"CREW is a left-wing Democratic front group, run by a former Democratic congressional staffer who, rather ironically, worked for one of the most controversial and ethically challenged House members, John Conyers," Holste said.