ABSCAM starring Jack Murtha

Murtha's ABSCAM video with Iraq surge "slow bleed" cameo

1980-01-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Before he laid the groundwork for a "slow bleed" of U.S. troops in Iraq, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) agreed to do business with a fictitious Arab sheik whom Murtha thought was trying to bribe him. Murtha avoided prosecution for his role in the ABSCAM scandal by testifying against other Democrat Congressmen who'd taken the bribes.

Murtha's ABSCAM video - TWO KEY SNIPPETS

1980-01-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

These two key snippets show Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) agreeing to do business with a fictitious Arab sheik whom Murtha thought was trying to bribe him with $50,000. Murtha avoided prosecution for his role in the ABSCAM scandal by testifying against other Democrat Congressmen who'd taken the bribes.

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #9-"u came 2 the right guys"

1980-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

In this closing snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) confirms to his hosts, "...you came to the right guys in order to get it done," and "I wanna do business with you....the bank deposits in my area - nothing I'd like better. Later on, you know, after we've dealt a while, you know, we might change our minds, we might want to do more business." Murtha highlights his anguish at turning down the bribe *for now*: "And listen, it's hard for me - it's hard for me to say just, 'to Hell with it.'"

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #8-"I can disclaim anything"

1980-01-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) finally points out the reason he needs to be so cautious in considering taking the offered bribe: "...we can do this probably, but I've gotta be completely to the point where I can disclaim anything. And that's why I'm so careful..."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #7-"maybe I'll take Gd $$"

1980-01-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) spins his refusal of a cash bribe as merely temporary, pending growth in his comfort-level with the scheme: "That's why I wanna do business this way and you know, after we've done business for a while maybe I'll take the God-damned money."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #6 -"arabs dont need the $$"

1980-01-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) insists that he's happy to help Middle Eastern emissaries separate themselves from their money, "Listen, I need the God-damned money like anybody else does, but this thing may be so sticky that I know it's gonna take a lotta God-damned work."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #5-"into heat w/politicians"

1980-01-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) explains how from his vantage point on the HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE that "if you get into heat with politicians, there's no amount of money that can help...I'm on the ethics committee and I see it....I know also that after a while you learn whether you can do business." He also makes sure the would-be Middle Eastern emissaries understand that, "you made an offer -- it may be that I'll change my mind someday."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #4 - "not at this point"

1980-01-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) declines the $50,000 bribe from the undercover FBI agent: "I'm not interested -- at this point. We do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested, maybe I won't."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #3 - "I know what I can do"

1980-01-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, cocky Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) boasts, "you know I'm gonna be there 20 years in that God-damned Congress.... and what I can't do," and reassures his emissaries from the Middle East, "I can tell you exactly whether this can be done and how long it would take..."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #2 - "a list of businesses"

1980-01-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) tells his potential bribers, "I'll give you maybe a list of businesses...that would be very helpful to me..."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - snippet #1 -"if i make a f*ing deal"

1980-01-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

In this snippet, Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) exclaims, "If I make a f***ing deal I want to make sure that I know exactly what I'm doing..."

Murtha's ABSCAM video - the BEST of Murtha ABSCAM

1980-01-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) agreed to do business with a fictitious Arab sheik whom Murtha thought was trying to bribe him. Murtha avoided prosecution for his role in the ABSCAM scandal by testifying against other Democrat Congressmen who'd taken the bribes. This compilation of snippets highlights the most obvious points in this undercover FBI video where Murtha was ready to sell his office after "doing business for a while." Individual snippets will follow this post.