The scandal involving a D.C. lobbying firm called Bonner & Associates that sent forged letters opposing the climate bill to members of Congress continues to grow. A number of blogs are covering a press release from Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) that states five new forged letters were uncovered as part of a congressional investigation launched shortly after reports of the first batch of forged letters surfaced.

The recently discovered letters, sent to three Democratic representatives—Tom Perriello (D-VA), Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA) and Christopher Carney (D-PA)—were purportedly from senior citizen centers and expressed concern that fixed-income seniors would be hurt by rate increases as a result of the climate bill. 

The total number of forged letters currently stands at 13, although the Markey press release says 58 letters in all were sent to the three representatives. The authenticity of the additional letters has yet to be confirmed.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), that band of unicorn-loving industry folks responsible for serenading us with those awful Christmas carols last holiday season, was the client of Bonner & Associates. ACCCE claims they were an unwitting party. This story still has some legs, so perhaps we’ll find out if that claim is true. Either way, this whole debacle is low.