That line was crossed in one case, according to a defense contractor who spoke to us on condition of anonymity for fear of losing government contracts.We've many times documented Murtha's up-front-and cozy relationship with Concurrent Technologies, a concern Murtha's taxpayer-funded earmarks helped create.
The contractor was set to receive $1 million tax dollars. He said the military told him the money would come through a company called Commonwealth Research Institute, whose parent company, Concurrent Technologies, ranked among the largest earmark recipients. Both were set up with Murtha's help in his own hometown. The defense contractor said Commonwealth officials told him to get the money, he should "consider opening an office" in Johnstown, Murtha's hometown, and chided his company for not giving "enough campaign contributions to Murtha," and not making "a showing at Murtha's annual defense contractor fair."
The contractor told CBS News: "I wouldn't do it. We're just not going to play." He didn't get the funds.
"You called this a 'shakedown?'" Attkisson asked Ellis.
"If you want the money then you've got to do these things, and that's being shaken down," Ellis said.
Now it looks more and more that Concurrent Technologies is nothing more than a front for Murtha's earmark- and campaign-fund laundering.
How much more corruption are you willing to withstand, PA-12?
