Murtha Intervenes for Company That Broke Export Law

Still, Sloan said, writing a single letter in support of a local company that is losing jobs does not seem excessive. "It seems to me there could be some legitimate reasons he did it," she said.

In his letter to Trimble, Murtha contended that the company's trouble resulted from a "miscommunication."

"I respectfully request that you give every consideration to lifting the debarments placed against this company," Murtha wrote. He asked the agency to meet with Schmidt and his attorney so that they could "present Electro-Glass's case and to show their sincere efforts to ensure compliance."

Trimble, reached by telephone, said the State Department does not comment on specific cases.

Companies can seek reinstatement after one year and must show they have taken steps to prevent a problem from recurring. At least 239 companies and individuals have been automatically penalized for violating the export-control law since 1998, according to the State Department's Web site.

Staff researcher Madonna Lebling contributed to this report.