red states rule
06-06-2009, 12:02 PM
I am sure the Dems and liberal media will ignore this story, and try to sweep it under the rug. If it is reported Ibet nowhere in the soty will it be mentioned John "they killed in cold blood" Murtha is a Democrat
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., steered millions of dollars in defense work to a campaign donor and the Pentagon went along with it, even though two convicted drug dealers had been deeply involved with the company.
Records filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh starting in 2005 raise questions about whether the government ever checked into the background of William Kuchera of Windber, Pa., a Murtha constituent who has been doing government work for over 20 years.
The records point to the political peril of Murtha and other members of Congress directing federal funds to particular contractors, an oft-criticized process known as earmarking that has directed hundreds of billions of defense dollars to favored contractors and programs over the past two decades.
The companies owned by William Kuchera and his brother — Kuchera Defense Systems and Kuchera Industries Inc. — have received $53 million in federal contracts in this decade alone.
According to the court records, Kuchera was convicted of marijuana distribution in 1982 in Wisconsin.
Asked for comment, Dennis McGlynn, a lawyer for William Kuchera, said Friday he was preparing a response.
In addition, a man who describes himself as an early partner in Kuchera's business in the 1980s is a convicted cocaine dealer who has served two terms in prison, according to the records.
The early investor in Kuchera Industries Inc., Peter Whorley, is suing Kuchera for a share of the money Kuchera has collected in federal contracts.
In 2007 and 2008, Murtha sponsored $14.7 million in defense earmarks for Kuchera Defense Systems. Before 2007, Congress did not disclose the identities of earmark sponsors, so it is impossible to say how much in earmarked funds Murtha directed to the Kuchera family business.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hQZVrDDrMo7SEGL58DXoZh7QL0fQD98KLOQG0
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., steered millions of dollars in defense work to a campaign donor and the Pentagon went along with it, even though two convicted drug dealers had been deeply involved with the company.
Records filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh starting in 2005 raise questions about whether the government ever checked into the background of William Kuchera of Windber, Pa., a Murtha constituent who has been doing government work for over 20 years.
The records point to the political peril of Murtha and other members of Congress directing federal funds to particular contractors, an oft-criticized process known as earmarking that has directed hundreds of billions of defense dollars to favored contractors and programs over the past two decades.
The companies owned by William Kuchera and his brother — Kuchera Defense Systems and Kuchera Industries Inc. — have received $53 million in federal contracts in this decade alone.
According to the court records, Kuchera was convicted of marijuana distribution in 1982 in Wisconsin.
Asked for comment, Dennis McGlynn, a lawyer for William Kuchera, said Friday he was preparing a response.
In addition, a man who describes himself as an early partner in Kuchera's business in the 1980s is a convicted cocaine dealer who has served two terms in prison, according to the records.
The early investor in Kuchera Industries Inc., Peter Whorley, is suing Kuchera for a share of the money Kuchera has collected in federal contracts.
In 2007 and 2008, Murtha sponsored $14.7 million in defense earmarks for Kuchera Defense Systems. Before 2007, Congress did not disclose the identities of earmark sponsors, so it is impossible to say how much in earmarked funds Murtha directed to the Kuchera family business.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hQZVrDDrMo7SEGL58DXoZh7QL0fQD98KLOQG0