According to USA Today, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) used the process of earmarks “13 times to set aside $48.7 million for six clients represented by lobbyist Michael Herson and the firm he co-founded, American Defense International.” Herson is married to Specter’s legislative assistant for appropriations Vicki Siegel Herson, who was formerly a lobbyist for defense contractors. Michael Herson’s lobbying firm took in $1.5 million from these clients over the past four years. Specter denies knowing that Herson was involved in these earmarks and said that, “at no time did her husband lobby my office or seek appropriations from any member of my staff.” It is a violation of Senate rules for senators or their staffers to use their position for personal financial gain.