FBI Files Detail Murtha Corruption

Murtha photo

Accusations of corruption directed against the late Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) look like they were true. Recently released files seem to confirm that the Federal Bureau of Investigation suspected that Murtha schemed to route federal dollars to bogus companies and other operations that would benefit his friends and former employees and ultimately his own campaigns.

As reported by Paul Singer in Roll Call, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Justice on Mr. Murtha (who passed away in February of 2010) and other Members of Congress. CREW's requests for the files from living Members of Congress were rejected as the Department stated that these Members have a right to privacy. However, Murtha's death did allow for files to be handed over to CREW as his passing eliminated any exemption for Murtha. CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan told Roll Call that they received a large number of heavily redacted files on October 14^th of this year.

The information gathered in the files shows long and convoluted connections between Congressman Murtha, his former staff members, and even his brother, with nonprofit organizations and Washington, DC lobbying groups and defense contractors. Many of the pieces of this story date back a number of years and have been reported in numerous publications like the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Roll Call and others.

In fact, National Legal and Policy Center Chairman Ken Boehm said, "It's no surprise to us that the FBI was looking at Rep. Murtha's relationships with questionable defense contractors. Our group investigated Murtha's dealings and provided information as well as a key witness to both the FBI and to the late Wall Street Journal reporter, John Wilke. The Wall Street Journal ran a front page story by Mr. Wilke in 2007 describing how Murtha used his position to enrich his political supporters", Boehm noted.

Boehm also added, "Anyone who doubts Murtha's corrupt ways can view the FBI sting video, part of the Abscam scandal, in which a cagey Murtha is discussing 'doing business' with an FBI agent posing as a lawyer for a rich Arab. While he did not take the bait, a $50,000 stack of cash, Murtha assured the agent, 'I do business like this all the time'".

The FBI investigation also suggested that a Murtha staffer may have failed to disclose thousands of dollars in income and assets on disclosure forms and that campaign money from Murtha's committee may have been used to buy guns for the use of another Murtha staff member. It also appears that some staff members may have violated the one-year ban on lobbying the congressman's office after departing his staff.

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It's a travesty that the results of this FBI investigation weren't publicly released when Murtha was still living.

1 posted on 10/27/2011 8:47:06 AM PDT by jazusamo

When it comes to Democrat corruption, the FBI is always a day late and a dollar short.

2 posted on 10/27/2011 8:50:29 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them." --Ronald Reagan)

They need to exhume the damned crook and verify the cause of death.
Gotta feeling a little Chicagoland CYA may have happened to the evil bastard.

3 posted on 10/27/2011 8:53:14 AM PDT by Happy Rain ( "Many of the most useful idiots of the Left are on the Right.")

Murtha may be dead but all those other crooks who were in on it with him are still alive? Will they be prosecuted by this DOJ? No! Will they be prosecuted by a republican DOJ? I doubt it.

4 posted on 10/27/2011 9:02:28 AM PDT by Terry Mross (Where is the OPPOSITION party? I'll only vote for a SECOND party.)

To: E. Pluribus Unum

“When it comes to Democrat corruption, the FBI is always a day late and a dollar short.”

Change the word Democrat to ‘Ruling Class’ and your post will be correct. Democrat / Republican, two sides of the same coin.
Eight years in Washington corrupts all but a very few. Less than 10% in my opinion.

5 posted on 10/27/2011 9:03:56 AM PDT by Tupelo ( 2012 TEA PARTYER but no longer a Republican)

Just could be the worst to ever wear a Marine uniform. More disgusting than Madoff as a person.

6 posted on 10/27/2011 9:04:29 AM PDT by reefdiver ("Let His day's be few And another takes His office")

Just could be the worst to ever wear a Marine uniform. More disguesting than Madoff as a person.

7 posted on 10/27/2011 9:04:37 AM PDT by reefdiver ("Let His day's be few And another takes His office")

What are the odds that the US Navy will change the name of this ship from that of this scum-sucking low-life?

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=52846

8 posted on 10/27/2011 9:13:20 AM PDT by Towed_Jumper (There are only two classes of people left in the U.S. - Producers and Parasites.)

Agreed on both your points.

In my view it's criminal that our elected reps in Washington are shielded from indictment and prosecution by the DOJ and FBI. Rangel is a prime example, caught red handed committing tax fraud and wasn't indicted.

It was a miracle that Jefferson was prosecuted and convicted but they must have felt being he was nailed with $90,000 in cash in his freezer they had to.

9 posted on 10/27/2011 9:13:47 AM PDT by jazusamo (The real minimum wage is zero: Thomas Sowell)

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Perhaps when the facts on F&F are all known it will make more sense. I think the FBI, DEA. ATF etc are all equally corrupt. Some are better than others at PR.

10 posted on 10/27/2011 9:13:58 AM PDT by 556x45

I wonder what the chance is of renaming this?
USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26)

11 posted on 10/27/2011 9:15:40 AM PDT by rocksblues (Obama, the biggest liar in the history of American politics!)

I think a name change for a certain airport in Johnstown,PA is called for.

12 posted on 10/27/2011 9:15:52 AM PDT by golf lover

John Murtha was a disgusting example of the lowest form of vermin who find their way into congress. From being busted on film in the ABSCAM sting to saying our Marines killed civilians in cold blood he has continued to embarrass our country and stain the integrity of the Marine Corps.

It's time to put the heat on and end the idea of naming a US Navy warship after this POS.

13 posted on 10/27/2011 9:16:00 AM PDT by Baynative (The penalty for not participating in politics is you will be governed by your inferiors.)

To: Towed_Jumper

SECNAV Ray Mabus should immediately rescind that decision to name a ship after Murtha but there’s no way he’ll do it in my view.

He made the decision and he’ll stick by it, It’d make him look bad to change it. I also believe he and Murtha were buddies.

14 posted on 10/27/2011 9:17:56 AM PDT by jazusamo (The real minimum wage is zero: Thomas Sowell)

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

15 posted on 10/27/2011 9:19:22 AM PDT by jazusamo (The real minimum wage is zero: Thomas Sowell)

Well said, I couldn’t agree more.

16 posted on 10/27/2011 9:21:37 AM PDT by jazusamo (The real minimum wage is zero: Thomas Sowell)

Worse than Charles Whitman and Lee Harvey Oswald?

The marines make hard men to protect the country and when a few go bad they go real bad.

17 posted on 10/27/2011 9:28:06 AM PDT by Happy Rain ( "Many of the most useful idiots of the Left are on the Right.")

I have known consultants who have run fine candidates against that fat fraud and EX Marine a few times. I heard the same lament about the old Democrat morons in the district saying, “Oh NO Jack wouldn't do that!” every time they were presented with the evidence this scumbag was corrupt. Well I wonder what those morons think now?

18 posted on 10/27/2011 9:32:35 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)

To: Towed_Jumper

Great catch..time to start calling/emailng congressmen..

19 posted on 10/27/2011 9:38:55 AM PDT by ken5050 (Cain/Gingrich 2012!!! because sharing a couch with Pelosi is NOT the same as sharing a bed with her)

Yep, I supported Diana Irey and Bill Russell running against Murtha even though I live in WA. Both would have made good Reps, a lot better and honest but Murtha had been there so long anyone running against him had little chance.

What surprised me was the number of veterans in the district and though Dems had a majority the area was known for conservative Dems but that didn’t keep them from voting for Murtha.

20 posted on 10/27/2011 10:11:33 AM PDT by jazusamo (The real minimum wage is zero: Thomas Sowell)

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