John Murtha's 'close links' to a defense contractor

Here's a surprise...

Investigators Still Mum On Raids On Two Contractors
(Washington Times)...Shaun Waterman, United Press International
Federal investigators remained tight-lipped Sunday about what was behind the searches carried out last week at Windber, Penn.-based defense contractors Kuchera Defense Systems and Kuchera Industries.

Windber, PA is outside Johnstown, in Rep Murtha's district. Big surprise. "The raids have drawn attention in Washington, because of the firms' close links to their local congressman, Rep. John P. Murtha, chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee." "Over the weekend, the paper, citing multiple but unnamed sources "close to the investigation," said part of the probe is looking into the financing of the LBK Game Ranch, a 161-acre hunting range operated as a private business by William Kuchera.

The ranch often is used to entertain clients and suppliers. Last fall, the paper said, it "was the site of a high-end fundraiser" for Mr. Murtha's campaign, which raised more than $100,000.

Employees and officers of the two companies have made at least $60,000 in donations to Mr. Murtha's campaigns and political action committees since 2002, according to Federal Election Commission records." "The Kuchera corporation has received millions of dollars in earmarked federal spending at Mr. Murtha´s behest. Last year, according to WJAC-TV, $8.2 million in earmarks requested by the congressman went to Kuchera."