FBI probe may cover donations to Dicks, Murray, paper says

Published 6:48 am Monday, March 23, 2009

SEATTLE — An FBI probe of a major lobbyist may extend to campaign donations to at least two lawmakers from Washington state.

The Seattle Times reports that PMA Group was a big donor to the political campaigns of Rep. Norm Dicks and Sen. Patty Murray. Each reportedly received thousands of dollars from a wine steward, or sommelier, and a golf club employee who were identified as PMA officials on campaign finance reports.

Murray says she has donated $3,500 of her PMA-related contributions to Food Lifeline. Dicks aides say he’ll decide what to do with the money he received after the FBI determines whether there was any criminal wrongdoing.

PMA was founded by a former aide to Rep. John Murtha. The lobbying firm’s office was raided by the FBI in November.