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Je swv 4Hd mO!po)' Murtha ties questioned [ne 1noians GazETte 'yvn pu PA By PETE YOST whether the government ever Associated Press Writer checked into the background of Duci Oc/0c/2009 William Kuchera, of Windber, a Editio WASHINGTON - Rep. John constituent who has been doing Murtha steered millions of dol- b6 government work for 20 years. lars in defense work to a cam- b7C The records point to the politi- paign donor and the Pentagon cal peril of Murtha, D-Johnstown, Tille went along with it, even though and other members of Congress Kucueha DereustDystems. Ine. two. convicted drug dealers had directing federal funds to particu- FAg.000 been deeply involved with the lar contractors, an oft-criticized company. Chancior process known as earmarking Records filed in U.s. District that has directed hundreds of bil- Clatifaton: 46A- PG - F7123 Court in Pittsburgh starting in lions of dollars in the federal 2005 raise questions about SubmmoO Co: 'nued on Page 4 ndecing: Murtha's ties to company owned by convicted drug dealer questioned Continued from Page 1 nine months in prison and. l980s and Murtha' became the $50,000 from Whorley was a budget to favored contractors since that time "has built two chairman of the House Appro- personal loan that "helped for and programs over the past two. highly successful and reputable priations defense subcommit- my living expenses,it helped decades. companieswithenviable tee in 1989. with. marketing expenses, it The companies owned by records of quality, first-rate According to the..court helped with sales expenses. William Kuchera and his broth- work." records,... in..1985. : William. ..Whorleyrvsaidthat h.and er Ronald --- Kuchera Defense In April, the Navy suspended Kuchera approached.his uncle.. William KucheraWgrecbest Systems and Kuchera Industries Kuchera . Defense Systems. Michael, who was just starting friends andythat they had been Inc. -have received $53 mil- William Kuchera and his broth- up Kuchera Industries,. involved in "drug dealings.". ? lion in federal contracts in this er for "alleged fraud," including William Kuchera "confided to In..the statement Friday, decade alone. "multiple incidents" of incor- me that he had just spent time Kuchera's lawyer: pointed to According to court rect charges, along with allega- in prison and he was looking for findings.by the federal court in records, William Kuchera was tions of defective pricing and a fresh start," Michael Kuchera the lawsuit rejecting Whorley's convicted of marijuana distri- ethical violations. Kuchera is said in an affidavit filed in fed- claims in their entirety. bution in 1982 in Wisconsin. appealing the suspension. eral court in 2005. The court split the costs of the In addition, a man who de- In 2007 and 2008, Murtha "After I agreed to go into busi-- case, ordering Whorley to pay scribes himself as an early part- sponsored $14.7 million in de- ness with my nephew, he intro- one-third and the Kuchera de- ner in Kuchera's business in the fense earmarks for Kuchera De- duced Peter Whorley to me,' fendants to pay two-thirds. 1980s is a convicted cocaine fense Systems. Michael Kuchera's' affidavit "William Kuchera has built dealer who has served two Before 2007, Congress did not states. "One day shortly after I two highly successful and rep- terms in prison, according to. disclose the identities of ear- had met Mr. Whorley, Bill told utable companies with enviable the records. mark sponsors, so it is impossi- me that Peter had agreed to in- records. of quality, first-rate The man, Peter Whorley, sued ble to say how much in ear- vest in the business. work,"' said Kuchera attorney the Kuchera companies and marked funds Murtha directed Under questioning in the law- Dennis McGlynn. William Kuchera for a share of to the Kuchera family business. suit, Whorley said that he had "In doing so, he has also creat- the money the companies have In one early link to Murtha, invested $50,000 in the ed 360 new jobs in the John- collected in federal contracts. Kuchera made a $1,o00 cam- Kucheras' new business. Before stown area. He should be ap- Whorley lost the case when it paign contribution to the con- that, Whorley said, he had been plauded for his accomplish- went to arbitration gressman in March 1992. in prison for drug trafficking. ments and not denigrated for a On Friday, Kuchera's lawyer Kuchera and his uncle started Answering questions in the law- crime he committed almost said that his client had served doing business in the mid- suit, William Kuchera said that three decades ago." This' article is retaired to: show what information - if any - has been released corgeming this case: A provide a basis irom which to measure possible Juture public comment. other -