So you have probably already seen the story linked at Drudge:
The headquarters of Murtech, in a low-slung, bland building in a Glen Burnie business park, has its blinds drawn tight and few signs of life. On several days of visits, a handful of cars sit in the parking lot, and no trucks arrive at the 10 loading bays at the back of the building.Yet last year, Murtech received $4 million in Pentagon work, all of it without competition, for a variety of warehousing and engineering services. With its long corridor of sparsely occupied offices and an unmanned reception area, Murtech's most striking feature is its owner -- Robert C. Murtha Jr., 49. He is the nephew of Rep. John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has significant sway over the Defense Department's spending as chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. - Washington Post
OK, it does not look so good, considering that his Uncle is a member of Congress. And it does not help that his uncle is not any member of Congress, but one who most any American would believe is partly the reason for his nephew's success. It also does not look very good that they either never won, or never even tried to win any Government contracts that came to bid. So maybe this company is just extremely lucky for the fact that the Government had no-bid contracts out there to keep this company in business.
Now you would think that his uncle would be able to count on his nephew for some money come campaign time, right? Well, according to OpenSecrets.org, Robert C. Murtha Jr. is not big when it comes to donating to Democrats, or anyone lately. If I read the data right, he has never donated a reportable amount to his uncle, or even to Democrat candidates for President. So, on the surface at least, it does not appear that he is trying to win over any Democrats via direct donations. (There are donations listed for 'Robert C. Murtha' which would most likely be his father)
Neat trick isn't it to get all that Government contract money and not make any payments to the 'party'. Maybe Murtha never asked his family to support his election bids for Congress and just maybe no other Democrats have the balls to ask him for money either, fearing the wrath of Congressman Murtha if they do.
Oh, and I do not see any sort of donations from Murtech employees to anyone either. It is possible that the company is gaining influence through the use of a lobbyist, but normally, the lobbyist needs their client's to make donations to get the attention of the relevant Congressman.
Just to be clear, I don't think the nephew has done anything wrong. Anyway, how could he, without some sort of assistance from his uncle, Congressman Murtha, who is the insider. It is after all the insider who obtains access for others...
Then again, this can just be simple proof that you don't have to play political games to become a Government Contractor. Time will tell.
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