Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-PA)

Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-PA) is a fourth-term member of Congress, representing Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district.  Rep. Murphy’s ethics violations involve his misuse of official resources for political campaign activity.  Rep. Murphy currently is the target of a Department of Justice investigation.

Misuse of Congressional Staff

Rep. Murphy has misused taxpayer-funded congressional staff and resources for political campaign activities.  Specifically, Rep. Murphy used his Mt. Lebanon congressional office for campaign strategy sessions and to store campaign-related materials.  In addition, his congressional staff was expected to assist his re-election campaign.

In October 2006, former and current staff members alleged that congressional staff dropping off official literature throughout the district in the summer before the election were instructed to make drops only at the homes of registered voters; and that in December 2005, district office staff were instructed to assemble and send greeting cards to Rep. Murphy’s campaign contributors during the government workday.  According to Rep. Murphy’s aides, while they were not explicitly threatened with dismissal if they did not participate in these activities, they felt pressured to do so.

By using congressional staff to engage in campaign activity on official time and with the use of official resources, Rep. Murphy may have violated the prohibition on soliciting political contributions from employees, the prohibition on using appropriated funds for campaign activity, House ethics rules and the regulations of the Committee on House Administration.

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