Congressman Charged With Taking Bribes

A 15-term Pennsylvania congressman was indicted Tuesday on federal charges that he sold his influence to defense contractors and lobbyists for about $100,000 worth of campaign contributions, vacations and other gifts.

Rep. Joseph M. McDade, a 60-year-old Republican running unopposed for reelection, was accused in a five-count indictment of racketeering, conspiracy and accepting illegal gratuities, among them $7,500 in tuition payments for his son.

McDade has represented the Scranton, Pa., area since 1962 and for 10 years has been the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee. He also is the ranking Republican on the subcommittee on defense appropriations.

McDade was attending meetings Tuesday and could not be reached for comment, said spokesman Jake O’Donnell. He said comments McDade made earlier would stand as his response to the indictment.

“When the dust settles on this one,” McDade said Monday, “my conduct will be vindicated, my integrity will have been upheld and I will be found not guilty of any wrongdoing.”

McDade has acknowledged receiving improper campaign contributions but said the money was returned.

Much of the indictment stems from McDade’s relationship with the defense contractor United Chem-Con Corp., which he helped bring to the depressed town of Renovo, Pa. The company built cargo containers for the Navy before going bankrupt in 1987.

The indictment says McDade met with Chem-Con President James Christian in March, 1983, and agreed to help Chem-Con land the Navy contract “in return for campaign contributions and other things of value.”

If convicted, McDade faces a maximum sentence of 34 years in prison and a fine of $1.25 million.