Connecting the Dots Between Murtha and the Haditha Prosecutions

For the past 2 years, I've been digging around trying to find a connection between Murtha and those involved with the investigations of the Haditha Marines. I think I found it tonight...

Sec of Navy Donald Winter was sworn in January 2006. Prior to his appointment,

Dr. Winter served as a corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. In that position he oversaw operation of the business and its 18,000 employees, providing information technology systems and services; systems engineering and analysis; systems development and integration; scientific, engineering, and technical services; and enterprise management services. Dr. Winter also served on the company's corporate policy council.

Previously, Dr. Winter served as president and CEO of TRW Systems; vice president and deputy general manager for group development of TRW’s Space & Electronics business; and vice president and general manager of the defense systems division of TRW.

TRW was purchased by Northrop Grumman in 2002.

Now let's take a look at Northrop Grumman's ties to Murtha... Keep in mind that this is just a quick google look not an indepth research project....

Johnstown, PA, July 28, 2004—Daniel R. DeVos, President & CEO of Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) today announced that CTC will support a key missile defense program under a new contract with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC). Under a $50,000 initial contract award, CTC will provide applied research and development and engineering services in logistics, advanced software applications, and exploration of environmental/materials issues to support the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) program. It is expected that this initiative will expand into other areas, and potentially grow into a long-term program that may bring more than 20 high-tech jobs to the area.

Johnstown, PA)- September 16, 2005 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is opening a new office in Johnstown, Pa., to support its work for the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal government agencies, Rep. John P. Murtha and Daniel L. Montgomery, Northrop Grumman vice president and deputy general manager, announced today.

Johnstown, PA - June 2, 2006
Congressman John Murtha said at the Showcase for Commerce today that Northrop Grumman has awarded Kuchera Defense Systems four contracts totaling $6.5 million with a potential of $15 million over the next five years. The contracts will create six jobs and sustain 23 over the next year.

Windber, PA - Oct. 26, 2006
U.S. Rep. John Murtha announced today that Kuchera Defense Systems has been awarded five new multi-million dollar contracts from Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, the Air Force Research Lab and Coherent Systems International. The contracts, valued at approximately $7 million in the first year alone, will create 15 new jobs and sustain 28 current jobs for the Windber company.

Nov. 2, 2006
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa) announced today plans for the consolidation of operations in Johnstown and the opening of a new office in the city to expand the company's support of the U.S. Department of Defense, other federal agencies and the commercial healthcare industry.

Murtha also benefitted from the relationship with Northrop Grumman...

Northrop has been a top contributor for Mr. Murtha, giving $96,500 to his campaigns since 1989.

*Northrop Grumman’s PAC has contributed a total of $34,500 to Rep. Murtha since 2000.

Now... the relationship with Northrop Grumman and Murtha goes further back than Winter's 2006 appointment. Murtha has always claimed to have "inside" knowledge of the Haditha investigation - even bragging to the media about how the investigation would prove him correct.

Could this be the smoking gun? Could it all come down to Sec of Navy Winter and Murtha's pork?

Chickenhawk Express will keep digging into this and see what else pops up on the radar.... Stay tuned... It could get a bit bumpy.