Madoff donations favored Democratic causes

WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- Confessed financial swindler Bernard Madoff spent large sums on Washington lobbying and campaign contributions to Democratic candidates, records indicate.

Information provided by the Center for Responsive Politics showed Madoff and other members of his firm spent nearly $1 million trying to influence legislation in Washington, with $590,000 going to the lobbying firm Lent, Scrivner & Roth, The Washington Times reported Sunday.

The newspaper said an overwhelming majority of Madoff's contributions went to Democratic causes and candidates, with the biggest beneficiary being the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Madoff and his wife gave the group $102,000, the Times said.

Former DSCC Chairman Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York also received significant contributions from the Madoffs, collecting $12,000, the newspaper said.