FBI Probes Pennsylvania Nonprofit Group With Murtha Ties

CBS News reports that the FBI is investigating the tax-exempt status of a nonprofit research institute with ties to U.S. Rep. John Murtha, whose links to defense contractors have come under increasing scrutiny.

The Commonwealth Research Institute, which is located in Murtha’s hometown of Johnstown and has touted its ties to the Democratic congressman in documents, has received about $45-million in Pentagon contracts. The IRS raised questions about the organization’s request for nonprofit status in 2000 but ultimately granted the tax exemption.

A Commonwealth spokesman told CBS News that the group has “a track record of providing significant value” to the military and that “all” of its work is “classified.”