Murtha’s nephew scores millions in non-compete Pentagon contracts

Hot Air ^ | 05/05/09 | Free America

[Free America52]

To hear Robert Murtha explain, if he had to tell us what he does for the government, the terrorists would win. The Washington Post seems less than convinced. They report that John Murtha’s nephew has a knack of garnering millions in Pentagon contracts without competition, and that his facility seems less than productive enough to deliver that kind of value back to the DoD:

The headquarters of Murtech, in a low-slung, bland building in a Glen Burnie business park, has its blinds drawn tight and few signs of life. On several days of visits, a handful of cars sit in the parking lot, and no trucks arrive at the 10 loading bays at the back of the building.

Yet last year, Murtech received $4 million in Pentagon work, all of it without competition, for a variety of warehousing and engineering services. With its long corridor of sparsely occupied offices and an unmanned reception area, Murtech’s most striking feature is its owner — Robert C. Murtha Jr., 49. He is the nephew of Rep. John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has significant sway over the Defense Department’s spending as chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

Robert Murtha said he is not at liberty to discuss in detail what his company does, but for four years it has subsisted on defense contracts, according to records and interviews. He said Murtech’s 17 employees “provide necessary logistical support” to Pentagon testing programs that focus on detecting chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, “and that’s about as far as I feel comfortable going.” Giving more details could provide important clues to terrorist plotters, he said.

Wow! That must be some kind of warehousing work going on at Murtech! Murtha claims that the no-bid contracts he received came because the government was “in a bind” after one of their other warehousing contracts ended, and they needed someone already established in the field. He also claims that the name “Murtha” hasn’t helped him in the business of no-bid Pentagon contracts, but at least one of his contracts came through PMA, the John Murtha-associated lobbying group now at the center of a federal investigation for corruption in earmarking and influence peddling.

As far as the name “Murtha” being a hindrance, the Washington Post notes that Robert’s not the only Murtha doing all right despite that supposed handicap. His father, John Murtha’s brother Robert Sr, runs another highly-successful lobbying group, KSA, that specializes in — wait for it — defense contracts from the Appropriations Committee. If the name “Murtha” is a drag on government contracting, imagine what they could do by changing their names … maybe to Visclosky.

There may be good reasons to occasionally award no-bid contracts for highly specialized work, but warehousing doesn’t fall into that category. Granting no-bid Pentagon contracts to a powerful Congressman’s nephew screams for an investigation, and a deeper look at the “culture of corruption” that seems to surround John Murtha and his allies on Capitol Hill.

[mom4melody]

I’d love to that J&A for the sole source (like it really exists).

[jagusafr]

Why am I reminded by Robbie’s answer of the adage, “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”?

Colonel, USAFR

[The_Media_never_lie]

Both Republican and Democrats find a way to garner these sweet deals. It is a corrupt and sleazy practice.

[merry10]

4 million to me seems like a small amount.

[Vaduz]

But only the republicans pay taxes.

[Doc91678]

I just read on Hot air that the Democrats have never rescinded the no-bid contract rules they so vehemently opposed against Haliburton and KBR.
Guess since Cheney is gone the Dems have replaced him with Murtha.

[mom4melody]

I have to write a J&A for anything sole sourced over $3000.

[mom4melody]

He said Murtech’s 17 employees “provide necessary logistical support” to Pentagon testing programs that focus on detecting chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats....”

His contract is for refridgerated warehousing.

[AFreeBird]

Didn’t Veep Cheney get crucified for getting Haliburton no bid contracts? Wasn’t Murtha one of those slinging the arrows?

[merry10]

i just developed a contracts chapter for a course we’re creating at my office ... i should have asked you! :)

[Liz]

John Murtha’s nephew gets millions in Pentagon contracts without competition......to a facility that appears non-productive. "Murtech" is located in a low-slung, bland building in a Glen Burnie business park......with blinds drawn tight, and few signs of life. On several days of observation, a handful of cars sit in the parking lot, and no trucks arrive at the 10 loading bays at the back of the building. Yet, last year alone, Murtech received $4 million in Pentagon work, all of it without competition, for a variety of warehousing and engineering services.

There's so many crimes being committed here it's not even funny. Can you say government fraud, conspiracy, kickbacks, money laundering? Conspiracy counts might include mail fraud, electronic fraud, and accounting fraud.

L/E might consider:

(a) conspiracy to defraud the IRS, and evade US banking laws,

(b) international money laundering,

(c) conspiracy to commit money laundering, and,

(d) aiding and abetting the preparation of false federal/state income tax returns.

Authorities might examine the company's receipts that were used to falsely verify bogus charitable contributions (kickbacks) and multiple conspiracies and transfers of funds as part of a money-laundering conspiracy.

Government audits might show off-the-books bank accounts that were accessed solely by insiders, and that government-funds were used in various illegal schemes that might have integrated:

(1) money laundering,

(2) tax evasion (stolen money is taxable),

(3) violations of US banking and currency laws,

(4) conspiracy to commit wire fraud,

(5) commercial bribery in various financial schemes,

(6) establishing secret offshore bank accounts outside the purview of the IRS and US banking laws,

(7) fraudulent and casual accounting practices,

(8) non-existent financial oversight,

(9) Having a hidden financial interest in companies faking business with Murtech,

(10) Putting phantom employees on the payroll (money laundering).

[Liz]

.......... the Washington Post notes that Robert’s not the only Murtha doing government business............His father, John Murtha’s brother Robert Sr, runs another highly-successful lobbying group, KSA, that specializes in — wait for it — defense contracts from the Appropriations Committee.

There may be good reasons to occasionally award no-bid contracts for highly specialized work, but warehousing doesn’t fall into that category.

Granting no-bid Pentagon contracts to a powerful Congressman’s nephew screams for an investigation, and a deeper look at the “culture of corruption” that seems to surround John Murtha and his allies on Capitol Hill.

[Libloather]

Murtha claims that the no-bid contracts he received came because the government was “in a bind” after one of their other warehousing contracts ended, and they needed someone already established in the field."

I'm just stunned that the Hussein gubmint had to rely on the PRIVATE SECTOR for anything! (I agree - this whole thing smells to high heaven...)