Visclosky's records subpoenaed in probe

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By S.A. Miller

Rep. Pete Visclosky said Friday that he has been subpoenaed in a federal grand jury probe of defunct lobbying firm PMA Group, the first tangible evidence the corruption investigation has spread to Capitol Hill.

The Indiana Democrat is one of several lawmakers linked to the lobbying firm, which shut down after it was raided last year by the FBI.

The subpoenas issued to Mr. Visclosky's congressional office, campaign committees and some of his employees requested documents related to PMA Group, the congressman said.

"It is my intention to fully cooperate with the investigation consistent with my constitutional obligations to Congress and my duties and responsibilities to my constituents," Mr. Visclosky said in a statement.

He vowed to continue working for his constituents.

"I am confident that at the end of this process, no one will conclude that I have done anything wrong or harmed my constituents in any way," he said. "The investigation is at an early stage and I respect the investigative process. For that reason, I will have no further comment on the matters under review."

The federal investigation appears focused on the firm's campaign contributions and millions of dollars in spending earmarks that lawmakers requested and obtained for PMA's defense contractor clients.

The scandal has long swirled around House Appropriations defense subcommittee Chairman John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, and subcommittee members Mr. Visclosky and Rep. Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat.

The founder of the now-defunct lobbying company, Paul Magliocchetti, is a former staffer on the Appropriations subcommittee chaired by Mr. Murtha. Mr. Magliocchetti is under criminal investigation.

Neither Mr. Murtha nor Mr. Moran have said they were subpoenaed.

The three lawmakers awarded $137 million in federal spending to PMA's clients in 2007 and 2008. They also received significant campaign contributions from the firm's lobbyists and their defense industry clients.

Since 1989, Mr. Murtha collected $2.37 million, Mr. Visclosky received $1.36 million and Mr. Moran got $997,348 from PMA's lobbyists and clients, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political money.