There is no evidence that any members of Congress exchanged earmarks for campaign contributions with the PMA Group, the House Ethics committee has found, sources tell (sub. req.) Roll Call.
The paper reports that the committee will release a report on the matter later today, exonerating of wrongdoing seven Appropriations committee members who it had been looking into in connection with the now-defunct lobbying group.
Last year, the PMA Group — which for years had made significant campaign contributions and had won earmarks worth millions — shut down after its office was raided by the FBI.
Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN), and the late Democratic congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania, were thought to be at the center of the probe. A Justice Department investigation into Visclosky is thought to be still ongoing.
