FBI: Probe of late Rep. Murtha still on

WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) -- An FBI investigation of allegations of kickbacks and ethical violations by the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania remains open, agency documents show.

Murtha, a Democrat who died in February at 77, steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. Hundreds of pages released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in response to several Freedom of Information Act requests indicate the Murtha investigation is still active, The Hill, a Washington publication, said. The documents were posted on the FBI's official Web site.

The FBI investigated Murtha's links to several defense contractors and PMA Group, a former lobbying firm whose clients received federal contracts in earmarks.

"Mr. Murtha was also the subject of other ethical and potentially criminal complaints. … This release contains public source information found in a Pittsburgh Division investigation into allegations of kickbacks involving government defense contractors," the FBI release said.

"As this investigative file is still in 'pending status,' the bulk of the file's FBI documents are not releasable until the conclusion of the investigation."

The first Vietnam War veteran elected to the House, Murtha represented western Pennsylvania for nearly 18 terms, from 1974 until his death, rising to chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.