The Washington Post is continuing to dig into the no-bid government contracts obtained by John Murtha’s nephew, Robert Murtha. The younger Murtha’s claims that his influential uncle was not involved turn out (surprise!) to be untrue:
[Robert Murtha] has maintained that his uncle played no role in his defense-related work, much of it secured without competition. Newly obtained documents, however, show Robert Murtha mentioning his influential family connection as leverage in his business dealings and holding unusual power with the military. . .
In e-mails obtained by The Post, Robert Murtha told a business partner in 2001 that there were conditions for “keeping funds flowing.” Part of the federal work, he said, must be channeled to Johnstown, Pa., his uncle’s home town.
“This has been a requirement for what I do to get dollars through,” Robert Murtha wrote in an e-mail to a senior official with NMS Imaging of Silver Spring, the lead contractor on a project to produce biological test kits. . .
He warned in an e-mail that failing to move work to Johnstown could jeopardize “financial rewards” for all parties. “Everyone on your side and on my side benefit from this, without having invested anything,” he wrote.
(Via the Corner.) (Previous post.)
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Democrats block ethics investigation. (Via Instapundit.)
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