Analysis: Capuano got $60K from PMA Group

WASHINGTON, April 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass., received $60,000 for his campaign from donors tied to a firm probed by the FBI, an analysis of the firm's giving indicates.

Capuano, whose congressional district was once represented by John F. Kennedy and Tip O'Neill, also inserted earmarks for three of the lobbying firm's Massachusetts clients into recent defense spending bills, the analysis by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics said.

The high-powered PMA Group, specializing in obtaining billions in earmarks in the defense budget for clients, shut down this week, two months after news broke that the FBI had raided its offices in November.

The Justice Department is investigating whether PMA used illegal straw campaign contributors as a front to funnel illegal donations to friendly lawmakers, a felony that could carry a minimum sentence of five years, The New York Times reported.

Capuano told The Boston Globe he had no way of knowing if the donations his campaign received were made illegally. He said he gave $60,500 in donations from the firm's employees and its political action committee to Boston-area charities to "hold myself to a higher standard."

Capuano said his $4.4 million in earmarks to the PMA's Massachusetts clients for defense-related projects in or near his district were intended to help provide jobs and money for his constituents.

Earmarks, or pork-barrel projects, are government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district. They are a frequent target of criticism by government watchdog groups.