Ex-PMA Lobbyist Pleads Guilty

Former lobbyist Paul Magliocchetti pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to illegally funneling more than $386,000 in corporate campaign contributions to lawmakers over a nearly six year period, a stunning fall from grace for one of Washington’s top influence peddlers.

Magliocchetti, a one-time high flying lobbyist and founder of the now-defunct PMA Group, could face as much as 15 years in prison and up to $1.7 million in fines after copping to three federal charges, although Magliocchetti’s lawyers and Justice Department prosecutors will urge a sentence of between five and six-and-a-half years in federal prison.

Magliocchetti admitted to using his in-laws and children to funnel donations to lawmakers beginning in 2003. In 2005, he began using employees of his lobbying firm to move campaign cash to members of Congress. Prosecutors said Magliocchetti’s goal was to “enhance his power and influence as a lobbyist.” The illegal scheme continued until Nov. 2008, when the PMA Group was raided by federal agents. The firm imploded soon afterward and Magliocchetti retired to Florida, although the Justice Department probe into his activities.

“Mr. Magliocchetti is answering for his brazen disregard for the law to achieve political influence and enrich himself,” said Neil MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who oversaw the case in conjunction the Public Integrity Section at Main Justice. “Campaign finance laws give transparency to political contributions, and protect the public’s ability to see who’s really funding a campaign.”

Magliocchetti was indicted last month on 11 federal charges related to illegal campaign donations. After several weeks of behind-the-scenes talks with federal prosecutors, Magliocchetti and his defense team agreed to plead guilty on three charges: making illegal conduit and corporate contributions, as well as causing dozens of political committees to file inaccurate disclosure reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Read more: (John Bresnahan, “Ex-PMA Lobbyist Pleads Guilty,” Politico, 09/24/10)