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"Kuchera haunted by '82 drug BY RANDY GRIFFITH RGRIFFITH@TRIBDEM.COM A 27-year-old drug conviction has come back to haunt a local business- man and U.S. Rep. John Murtha. But William Kuchera says the histo- ry 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 organi- zations 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 Jesson from this experi- ence and’ would thereafter become a law-abiding and productive citizen. “Mr. Kuchera has exceeded any rea- sonable expectations the judge could have had.” Kuchera has never had a Defense Department security clearance, and i \ 1 conv 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 clear- ance based on Mr. Kuchera’s lack of clearance,” McGlynn said. _ Kuchera’s past surfaced, in part, because of a 2005 lawsuit by a convict- ed 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 iction in February. Whor- § ley’s claims were. "denied in their entirety” following binding arbitration hearings in federal court. McGlynn’s state- ment goes on to outline the success of Kuchera’s busi- ness, noting Kuchera Industries’ recog- nition as a leader in hiring disabled workers, making up about 20 percent of its work force. Please see KUCHERA, Az Kuchera Jo wory vind ere pop ee ae ~O8 = 5 arog pow se al -2 38 ne . Lr Cre Pree a 2 vo fs. <= = a eh r 3. @ 2 8 bie B 1-58 2x = @ = pESEece Gp Sug eces & =v os g ® 5 BBs ree RAg B Bae OB oc; FR 2G ane SPS Rey oP 8 eS & _ Qg eo g = Bm meeesee ARS seta gs 7a : a7 oe aa & . SAS Om Sooo eS aS : § : ae : PY. = fego ee gra bpes keeted acess Hota ae ~ Wi wD 3 ie [et oO. 3 7 “a mr) = sy care Bate cu beer Res a2 oat | 72° 835 Fpebeesteleseecy gf 4 Sse oo ‘SG eePR EERE ESE ACE .° rey 5 o@ -GER89 Fas Pee F. 3 aw 3 ' a . 4.000 - - Bog & BORE be Seon CS z b a ae: By ag BE : 4 oo. erat Pa 5 0 ow 5 . eB aaa < Ba Ss c S a, a 8 pieke 2 Bgaca = = xa S “SPS Ge ee Ww > iN SEE). 2 2B BR. o i : is: B25 Be. ; >» 8° oSqg B | é : a 0 The ~ : ee