WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- A Democratic congressman has fueled five non-profit groups in his West Virginia district with $250 million in earmark funding, The New York Times reports.
Alan Mollohan, who has a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is hardly alone in seeking money for his constituents. But the newspaper says he is uniquely creative in his network of organizations, which he has founded and staffed with friends and former aides.
The largest is the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation. The foundation is taking in the Institute for Scientific Research, in a state of near collapse after questions about its director's $500,000 salary.
The Canaan Valley Institute does research on water resources, while the Vandalia Heritage Foundation redevelops buildings, and the MountainMade Foundation helps local craft workers.
"He's basically judge, jury and executioner for all this money," said Keith Ashdown, vice president of the Taxpayers for Common Sense in Washington.
Mollohan says he is being targeted by conservative groups eager to see him ousted by a Republican.
