U.S. Navy intercepts Iranian arms vessel

By Aaron Klein

HERZLIYA, Israel – The U.S. Navy is conducting covert operations aimed at intercepting Iranian ships carrying weapons to rearm Hamas in the Gaza Strip, informed defense officials told WND.

The setup, which has already halted a vessel carrying Iranian munitions in recent days, acts on intelligence information provided by Israel, Egypt and Cyprus, the defense officials said.

The U.S. Navy refused to comment, but informed sources said the U.S. last week intercepted an Iranian-owned vessel found to be carrying weapons, including rockets, mortar and artillery shells. It is suspected the ship was attempting to reach the Egyptian Sinai area. If successful, the delivery would have represented a major escalation by providing Hamas with artillery, something the terrorist organization is not thought to possess.

The ship is now docked at an Egyptian port on the Red Sea after being escorted by the U.S. Navy out of the Suez Canal, which leads to the Mediterranean, the defense officials said. Due to complicated maritime laws, the U.S. and Egypt may let the ship sail to the Mediterranean, where either Israeli or Egyptian naval units would need to decide whether to entirely halt the vessel.

According to the sources, aside from patrolling the seas, the U.S. has also sent the Army's Corps of Engineers to the Egyptian Sinai desert, bringing with them advanced machinery to help Egyptian troops locate weapons smuggling tunnels that snake along the Egypt-Gaza border.....

Big Game Hunting With John Murtha

By Ken Silverstein

Check out this story on last week’s raid on properties owned by businessmen close to Congressman John Murtha:

The Tribune-Democrat has learned that federal raids on the businesses and homes of Bill and Ron Kuchera are focused on a potential misuse of corporate funds. Kuchera Industries and Kuchera Defense Systems of Windber were raided by agents from three federal agencies on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

A source close to the investigation told The Tribune-Democrat that the investigation is focused on the actions of the corporate officers. The source said the investigation is examining the alleged use of corporate funds for unapproved purposes…

Multiple sources have told The Tribune-Democrat that part of the investigation is looking into the financing of LBK Game Ranch in Croyle Township. The 161-acre ranch is a private business owned by CEO Bill Kuchera. Customers at the ranch pay a fee for the opportunity to hunt big game. The ranch, which includes a lodge to house guests, shares the same address as Bill Kuchera’s home.

Records show that the LBK Game Ranch generates estimated annual sales of $150,000. The ranch often is used to entertain Kuchera clients and suppliers. In the fall, LBK Game Ranch was the site of a high-end fundraiser benefiting the campaign of U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown. Sources tell The Tribune-Democrat that the one-night event raised as much as $100,000.

Now check out the $8.2 million Murtha secured in earmarks for the Kuchera firms for 2008. Also note the $40,000 in lobbying fees that Kuchera Defense Systems paid to Ervin Technical Associates, a lobbying firm that is closely connected to Murtha. And see, too, the tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to Murtha from the company’s executives.

It’s not clear where the federal investigation is heading, but it’s pretty obvious how companies bag earmarks from Murtha. It’s also pretty obvious why a few years ago Murtha reportedly described a Democratic plan for ethics reform as “total crap”.

Palestinian civilians: Hamas made us stay in homes used by gunmen

WJAC Uncovers Financial Relationship Between Kucheras, Congressman Murtha

by Scott MacFarlane

WASHINGTON -- The raid on the Kuchera companies, the Windber defense contractors, has placed a spotlight on a long, financial relationship between the company and Johnstown Democrat Rep. John Murtha.

Campaign donation forms, obtained Friday by WJACTV.com, indicate the Kuchera family has donated $60,700 to Murtha's congressional campaigns between 2002 and 2008. The donations, often in $2000 increments, are listed under the names of multiple members of the Kuchera family.

Murtha has simultaneously directed federal money to the Kucheras. Reports compiled in recent weeks indicate the Congressman, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations, funneled $8.2 million in federal earmarks to the Kucheras' businesses in 2008.

The earmarks directed to the Kucheras include: $1 million for the federal purchase of "cold spray wear coating", $2.4 for development of "life cycle support center for unmanned systems" and $4.8 million for "roll-on, roll-off pallet improvment".

Murtha's office declined requests to comment on the relationship between the Congressman and the defense contractor. Regarding the raid, Murtha spokesman Matthew Mazonkey told WJACTV.com, "We know nothing more than what we’ve read in the press."

Phone calls to Bill Kuchera were not returned.

Ethics watchdogs in Washington have questioned the relationship between Murtha and some of his campaign donors, including Kuchera.

Steve Ellis, spokesman for Taxpayers for Common Sense, told WJACTV.com, "It makes you scratch your head and wonder if this is appropriate and whether (donors) would be going to him if he wasn't delivering the bacon."