Newly released records show the FBI was moving to expand its ongoing investigation into the late Rep. John Murtha several months before he died.

The Washington Post reported the investigation examined whether Murtha used his post as defense appropriations chairman to benefit contractors and lobbyists. Murtha always denied any wrongdoing and the FBI eventually dropped its case. But the watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, sought out the FBI records.

But why, now that the congressman is dead, is the investigation still relevant?

"It's all still relevant because those who forget history are deemed to repeat it. This is not a system that is gone. Just because Mr. Murtha is gone, doesn't mean there aren't many more members in Congress working the system now," said Melanie Sloan, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics executive director.

Rep. Mark Critz worked under Murtha. Channel 6 News contacted his office, but the congressman's representatives declined to comment on the article.