WASHINGTON — Rep. John Murtha steered millions of dollars in defense work to a campaign donor, and the Pentagon went along with it, even though two convicted drug dealers had been deeply involved with the company.
Records filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh starting in 2005 raise questions about whether the government ever checked into the background of William Kuchera of Windber, Pa., a constituent who has been doing government work for more than 20 years.
The records point to the political peril of Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat, and other members of Congress directing federal funds to particular contractors. The oft-criticized process known as earmarking has directed hundreds of billions of dollars in the federal budget to favored contractors and programs over the past two decades.
The companies owned by William Kuchera and his brother Ronald — Kuchera Defense Systems and Kuchera Industries Inc. — have received $53 million in federal contracts in this decade alone.
According to the court records, Kuchera was convicted of marijuana distribution in 1982 in Wisconsin.
In addition, a man who describes himself as an early partner in Kuchera’s business in the 1980s is a convicted cocaine dealer who has served two terms in prison, according to the records.
The early investor in Kuchera Industries Inc., Peter Whorley, sued Kuchera for a share of the money Kuchera has collected in federal contracts. Whorley lost the case when it went to arbitration.
On Friday, Kuchera’s attorney said that his client had served nine months in prison and since that time “has built two highly successful and reputable companies with enviable records of quality, first-rate work.”
In April, the Navy suspended Kuchera Defense Systems, William Kuchera and his brother for “alleged fraud,” including “multiple incidents” of incorrect charges, along with allegations of defective pricing and ethical violations. Kuchera is appealing the suspension.
