CREW RELEASES "YOU DON’T KNOW JACK" – A MAP TO REP. MURTHA’S WEB OF SPECIAL INTERESTS

28 May 2009 // Washington, D.C. - Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released You Don’t Know Jack, an interactive graphic illustrating the vast reach of Rep. Jack Murtha’s (D-PA) tentacles. Rep. Murtha has been anointed the “King of Pork,” a title he shrugs off, stating, “If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district.” Indeed, Rep. Murtha takes excellent care of his district; in 2008 he earmarked $192 million for entities in his district and has requested $134 million in earmarks for the benefit of his district in the first half of 2009. Rep. Murtha has a long practice of trading lucrative earmarks for generous campaign donations. CREW’s new interactive graphic will allow visitors to explore the crooked connections between the lawmaker and the numerous special interests.

For decades, Rep. Murtha has rewarded his campaign donors with earmarks. With the news of federal investigations into the PMA Group and Kuchera Corporation -- companies with close ties to Rep. Murtha -- the scrutiny into his unethical practices has increased significantly. CREW’s interactive web graphic shows that when it comes to corruption, Rep. Murtha is no rookie; he has entangled himself in a labyrinth of shady dealings involving defense contractors, lobbyists, family members, and friends – and lots and lots of money. As new information about Rep. Murtha’s suspect activities comes to light, CREW will add to the graphic, creating a comprehensive picture of the lawmaker’s unseemly activities and network of cronies.

The graphic is just one part of story. Rep. Murtha is a three time all-star on CREW’s Most Corrupt Members of Congress; visitors can read Rep. Murtha’s Most Corrupt profile to learn more about his unethical activities and what federal laws and House rules he may have violated.

CREW executive director Melanie Sloan said, “The more Rep. Murtha’s dealings are exposed, the more we all learn about how Congress really operates and the more disgusted the public becomes. CREW will continue to shine the light on Rep. Murtha until the congressman changes his ways or is indicted. I’d take a bet on which is the more likely outcome.”

Click here to visit You Don’t Know Jack.