ABC News is reporting that the FBI has raided the offices of PMA Group, a powerful lobbying outfit here in Washington, D.C. The firm specializes in obtaining Defense earmarks for their clients and has close ties to Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and other senior appropriators in the House of Representatives.

Federal investigators searched the lobbying firms Virginia headquarters in November, according to ABC News . The PMA Group is run by Paul Magliocchetti, a former key appropriations staffer and key confidant to Rep. Murtha.

It is unclear if Rep. Murtha is a target of the investigation. But what is clear is that the PMA Group has benefited from its relationship with Rep. Murtha.  Of the 134 firms listed as having hired PMA Group in 2007, 68 firms received appropriations earmarks in FY2008.  In total, PMA Group’s clients received 154 earmarks worth $299.5 million. Click here for a database of all PMA client earmarks.

Murtha tied Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN) in obtaining the mostwere the most earmarks for PMA Group’s clients, with a total of 16 earmarks each. Rep C.W. (Bill)Young (R-FL) came in second with nine earmarks for PMA Group clients. Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) received eight earmarks for PMA Clients.

TCS has not compiled this data yet for FY 2009.