Murtha Aide Says Charity Not Political

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Defense contractors as well as Pennsylvania businesses and universities seeking federal funding have worked to raise money for a charity started by an aide to Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., The Washington Post reported Sunday.

The Pennsylvania Association for Individuals with Disabilities began in 2001 and was led by Carmen Scialabba, who had been an aide to Murtha for nearly three decades. The group helps disabled people find work; Scialabba uses a wheelchair.

According to the Post, some of the lobbyists who serve as directors on the nonprofit group's board have served as ``intermediaries'' between Murtha, his aides and the defense contractors and businessmen on the board.

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But Scialabba told the Post, ``Everyone's trying to make this a political thing, and it makes me very mad.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6302109,00.html


Nonprofit Connects Murtha, Lobbyists
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/24/AR2006122400919.html