[1][2] Murphy started his political career as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served from 1959 to 1971.

[citation needed] Murphy was reprimanded by the 100th Congress in December 1987 for ghost voting and misusing House funds.

[6] In May 1999, Murphy was indicted by a Fayette County grand jury of engaging in voter fraud.

Murphy insisted that he was only trying to help elderly nursing home residents fill out paperwork that accompanied an absentee ballot.

[7] Murphy died on April 13, 2024 in Carroll Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, age 96.