WASHINGTON — The U.S. House ethics committee today cleared all lawmakers, including the late Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, of wrongdoing in a probe of lobbying firm PMA Group.

The 10-member Committee on Standards and Official Conduct released a 305-page report today finding that the targeted members involved with now-shuttered PMA and Pittsburgh native Paul Magliocchetti did not consider campaign contributions a factor when requesting earmarks, nor did they solicit contributions in return for earmarks.

But the committee did find that “there is a widespread perception among corporations and lobbyists that campaign contributions provide enhanced access to members or a greater chance of obtaining earmarks.”

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