STATEN ISLAND — Former U.S. Rep. John M. Murphy, 88, known for his role in the Abscam sting in the 1970s, died on Monday in Staten Island, his grandson confirmed to the New York Times.
Murphy, a Korean War veteran, served as the representative of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn for nine terms from 1963 to 1981. He was one of six congressman busted in the Abscam scheme in 1980, which the film "American Hustle" was loosely based on.
The Democrat Murphy was found guilty of taking bribes to help with immigration and other issues from FBI agents who posed as Middle Eastern tycoons, the Times reported. He served 16 months in prison for his role in the scheme.
In 2011, Murphy made a rare public appearance in his home borough, but would not comment when asked about his role in Abscam to the Staten Island Advance.
"I don't think about it," he told the paper. "I never look back."
Aside from his role in the scheme, his time in Congress was also marked for guiding the legislation that helped Panama take over control of the Panama Canal from the U.S., according to the Times.
He was born in Staten Island in 1926 and graduated from West Point in 1950.
