Another shoe drops for Murtha

posted at 6:19 pm on July 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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A figure close to John Murtha has been charged with fraud in connection to government contracting.  Richard Ianeri, former president of Coherent Technologies, took kickbacks from subcontractors.  But Ianeri may be singing rather than fretting at the moment (via HA reader Frank P):

A former executive for a defense contractor with ties to Democratic U.S. Rep. John Murtha has been charged by federal prosecutors with taking about $200,000 in kickbacks from a subcontractor.

Richard Ianieri, of Doylestown, Pa., served as president and CEO of Coherent Systems International Corp., the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

The government alleges Ianieri received checks which were “provided for the purpose of improperly obtaining and rewarding favorable treatment … relating to a government prime contract.”

Coherent worked so closely with Kuchera Industries that Murtha himself bragged three years ago that the companies practically worked as one entity.  Kuchera, a big Murtha backer, got suspended from its Navy contracts for fraud in April.  Kuchera has appealed that decision, but FBI raids on its headquarters strongly suggest that the government may have more to say about Kuchera’s future.

The AP notes that the type of charges filed against Ianeri suggest that he may be more ally to the government than adversary:

Ianieri was charged via a federal criminal information, which typically indicates that a defendant is cooperating with prosecutors.

In other words, keep the popcorn handy.

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