Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-West Virginia) is being investigated over his ties to a relative whose wife won federal contracts as a small Native American business owner.

Mollohan's third cousin, Joe Jarvis, opened a small business with his wife, Rosemary. According to legal papers cited by The New York Times, Rosemary is Native American, although her tribal affiliation is not reported.

Since Rosemary is Native, she was made president, vice president and treasurer of Arrey Industries in order to tap into minority small-business set asides. The firm eventually won three federal contracts or subcontracts between 1995 and 2000.

Around the same time, Mollohan and his wife entered into a business relationship with the Jarvises. They formed a real estate partnership that flourished when condos they bought in Remington in Washington, D.C., went up in value.

Mollohan now faces questions about his relationship with the Jarvises, and his role on the House Appropriations Committee in steering federal contracts to friends and associations in West Virginia.

Get the Story:
Congressman's Condo Deal Is Examined (The New York Times 5/17)
pwnyt

Earlier Story:
Congressman's Cousin Received Federal Contracts (The State Journal 5/11)

Relevant Links:
Rep. Alan B. Mollohan - http://www.house.gov/mollohan

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