Specter helped win OK for $200,000 grant for client of staffer's son

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2006 | by Matt Kelley

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Arlen Specter obtained a $200,000 grant last year for a Philadelphia foundation represented by the sonof one of Specter's top aides,the latest example of how the Pennsylvania Republican has helped clients of lobbyists related to members of his staff.

Bill Reynolds, Specter's chief of staff, said an investigation found two lobbyists who sought financial favors and who were related to staff members. Specter has changed his office rules to ban lobbying by staffers' relatives.

"The better practice is what we have now. We're living and learning," Specter said in an interview.

In February, USA TODAY reported that Specter helped get almost $50 million in funding for clients of a lobbying firm run by the husband of Specter's top appropriations...