Published: June 06, 2009 12:25 am      

Kuchera haunted by ’82 drug conviction

A 27-year-old drug conviction has come back to haunt a local businessman and U.S. Rep. John Murtha.

But William Kuchera says the history should have no affect on Kuchera Defense Systems’ work for the federal government.

Court records show Kuchera was convicted of marijuana distribution in 1982 in Wisconsin.

While several national media organizations have questioned whether the government checked out Kuchera’s background, his attorney says it is not an issue for the Windber company’s government work.

“Twenty-seven years ago, William Kuchera spent nine months in prison for dealing in marijuana,” Johnstown attorney Dennis M. McGlynn said in a statement. “The judge who sentenced him obviously hoped Mr. Kuchera would learn a lesson from this experience and would thereafter become a law-abiding and productive citizen.

“Mr. Kuchera has exceeded any reasonable expectations the judge could have had.”

Kuchera has never had a Defense Department security clearance, and has no access to information that requires a clearance, McGlynn said.

“Kuchera Defense Systems is not precluded from participating in work which would require a security clearance based on Mr. Kuchera’s lack of clearance,” McGlynn said.

Kuchera’s past surfaced, in part, because of a 2005 lawsuit by a convicted cocaine dealer who claimed he was an early partner of Kuchera.

Peter Whorley claimed he is entitled to a portion of Kuchera’s earnings because he invested about $70,000 in the company’s startup in 1985.

As The Tribune-Democrat reported in February. Whorley’s claims were "denied in their entirety" following binding arbitration hearings in federal court.

McGlynn’s statement goes on to outline the success of Kuchera’s business, noting Kuchera Industries’ recognition as a leader in hiring disabled workers, making up about 20 percent of its work force.

“In short, William Kuchera has built two highly successful and reputable companies with enviable records of quality, first-rate work,” McGlynn wrote. “In doing so he has created 350 new jobs in the Johns-town area. He should be applauded for his accomplishments and not denigrated for a crime he committed almost three decades go, for which he has paid his debt to society.”

Several national media stories point to Kuchera’s success in obtaining government work and funding through earmarks from Murtha. The companies have received $53 million in federal contracts since 2000.

Last week, Murtha sidestepped questions about Kuchera’s companies, bristling at reporters during Showcase for Commerce.

“Do you think I oversee these companies?” Murtha said.

“That’s the Defense Department’s job. That’s not my job.”

Kuchera’s offices were raided in January as part of a federal investigation, and the company was suspended from receiving new Navy contracts last month.

The FBI has not said that Murtha is a target of any investigation, and Murtha’s staff has said that they “have not been contacted by any federal agency.”