By Alex Knott, CQ Staff

Embattled Indiana Rep. Peter J. Visclosky will be able to use campaign funds to defend himself in an ongoing federal ethics investigation, the Federal Election Commission unanimously ruled in a decision released Friday.

In a March 21 request to the commission, the powerful Democratic Appropriations subcommittee chairman said he needed the campaign money to cover mounting legal fees. A federal grand jury and the House ethics committee are investigating allegations that Visclosky received improper donations from the PMA Group, a defense lobbying firm.

The decision gives Visclosky access to at least $909,639, the amount of cash he reported having in his campaign coffers at the end of March.

The FEC voted, 6-0, Thursday, a day before the decision was released. The FEC routinely allows members of Congress to use campaign funds to pay for legal expenses, but makes the decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Visclosky earmarked $23.8 million for PMA clients in the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations bill.

In turn, the lobbying firm’s founder, Paul Magliocchetti, and at least nine family members made donations to Visclosky’s campaign committees.

Federal investigators have subpoenaed Visclosky’s campaign and office records as part of a grand jury probe of Visclosky and other lawmakers relations with the PMA Group. On June 2, Visclosky announcedhe would temporarily step down as chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee until the investigations are completed.