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Posted on 06/05/2009 9:11:19 AM PDT by jazusamo
Companies Under Investigation Have Gotten Millions in Earmarks
CROYLE TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Inside the LBK Ranch, a private game preserve on a scenic hilltop here, guests mingle at a stone lodge after hunting deer and wild boar. Signs posted at intervals along the fence warn: "No Trespassing: U.S. Govt. Testing Facility."
Defense firm owner Bill Kuchera and his wife, Lena, the owners of the 161-acre property, live in an upscale log home within the preserve and go to extensive efforts to keep out strangers. There are no visible signs of government testing, but behind the 10-foot fence and electronic gate lies the answer to a politically sensitive question now under federal scrutiny: whether Kuchera's companies padded their Pentagon billings and diverted taxpayer money to their own pet projects.
In January, federal agents raided the ranch, along with the homes of Bill Kuchera and his younger brother Ron and the offices of two Kuchera companies. Federal authorities are investigating tips from company insiders suggesting that taxpayers were billed improperly for Kuchera family expenses and ranch renovations, according to sources familiar with the probe. Tens of millions of dollars in Defense Department contracts have flowed to Kuchera's companies because of the local congressman, Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha, the chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. The Navy recently suspended the company from future contracts while the investigation proceeds.
Murtha, who was celebrated at the LBK Ranch with a fundraiser held in his honor, last week sidestepped questions about $50 million in earmarked funds and contracts he has helped direct to Kuchera Defense Systems and Kuchera Industries Inc. since 2001. But newly obtained documents and interviews show that the current federal investigation is only the latest chapter in the troubled history of the Kuchera brothers' business ventures.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Murtha Defends Earmarks to His District May 30, 2009
Justice Dept. Investigates Pa. Contractor Tied to Murtha May 25, 2008
Nephew Mentioned Rep. Murtha in Dealings as Contractor May 12, 2009
Murtha's Nephew Got Defense Contracts May 5, 2009
Murtha Airport Got Military Upgrades April 30, 2009
Research Center's Role Faces Scrutiny March 17, 2009
Despite Listing, Donors Don't Work for Firm Being Probed Feb. 14, 2009
To be added to the Murtha Watch ping list please notify myself or RedRover.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT
A “troubled past.”
It sounds like the usual description of the mass murderer who annihilates a Jewish Community Center here in the US, or a monstrous maniac who wipes out several police officers. Just another poor, oppressed, “troubled” victim.
They’re having “troubled” times, but with our prayers, patience, and, especially much more of that good Murtha dough, they’ll work through it.
Absolutely! It's kind of an undersstatement considering he ran thousands of pounds of marijuana and some cocaine and they don't explain what "some" means in this piece.
Murtha and his mouthpiece Mazonkey are sticking with their standard reply more than ever, “No comment.” I wonder if Fat Jack will take the 5th if he’s in a Grand Jury room. :)
He'll do that before he goes in, probably a couple of fifths. :o)
LOL! No doubt you’re right, he then can truthfully say he doesn’t recall.
Normally with federal investigations this big, Kuchera’s problems are just beginning.
The Kuchera brothers cheated their own uncle?? I would guess that Bill and Ron Kuchera would not get invited to family reunions!!!
I wonder if his pal Murtha knew that company was a rogue’s gallery?? So many Murtha associates under investigations.
Carol Leonnig and the washington post will have months of work if they investigate all of Murtha’a cronies.
I have to believe Murtha knew everything about the Kuchera brothers. The undercover FBI tape of the ABSCAM fiasco shows just how careful he is about doing business with people.
Yes, I hope Leonnig stays with her investigation of Murtha, she’s come up with a lot of info. I would guess she’s not on Murtha’s Christmas card list. :)
LOL!
Other local papers that circulate in the 12th Congressional District are reporting the story, but the Johnstown paper is strangely silent.
As George W. Bush might say; "maybe they're stratergerizing"! :-)
LOL! “stratergerizing”!
I’d guess they’re doing a lot more than that, they’re “Murthaergizing.”
I’m sure they realize if they cross Fat Jack on this they’ll be in a world of hurt and you’re right, there hasn’t been a peep out of them.
Murtha must feel like he’s on cloud nine having a newspaper at his beck and call.
It is rare to see a detrimental story about someone that is close to Murtha or a bad article about Murtha in the johnstown paper. The paper is also called the Johnstown Tribune-Murthocrat.
Why wouldn’t they follow up on the first story in pittsburgh a week ago that mentions Bill Kuchera’s marijuana conviction and why Kuchera could not own firearms?? The Tribune-Muthocrat is the answer.
I don’t have a ping list for Allen West supporters, but it stands to reason that most who want to get rid of Murtha would support Allen West.
You can get free downloads of Allen West podcasts on Itunes now in the podcast section.
You can also go here and simply find and click the subscribe button and each uplifting podcast will be automatically be downloaded to your Itunes library with each new publication.
http://web.me.com/pac8185/Site_2/Podcast/Podcast.html
G'night :o)
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