Sex and money bought Iraq contracts

[leftchick]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/sex-and-money-bought-iraq-contracts/2006/04/19/1145344153774.html

A CONTRACTOR in Iraq has pleaded guilty to providing money, sex and designer watches to US officials in exchange for more than $US8 million ($10.8 million) in reconstruction contracts.

Philip Bloom faces up to 40 years in prison after admitting paying more than $US2 million in bribes to US officials with the Coalition Provisional Authority, which ruled Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003.

Bloom's guilty plea on bribery and money-laundering charges is the latest development in a widening corruption scandal centred on a network of US civilians and military officials who worked out of a coalition outpost in the south-central Iraqi town of Hillah.

Under the plea agreement, Bloom must pay $US3.6 million in restitution and forfeit $US3.6 million in assets. His guilty plea "sends a message to Iraqis that US oversight will track down, arrest and prosecute American citizens who committed crimes in Iraq involving Iraqi money", said Stuart Bowen, who heads the office of the Special Inspector-General for Iraq Reconstruction.


I wonder what paul bremer walked away with?

[ClassWarrior]

1. George W. Bush**'s true legacy - A Republicon Culture of Corruption.

NGU.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Tip o' the iceberg. A Pulitzer Prize here for a reporter with guts.

Does anyone doubt that the hundreds of billions spent on this war haven't caused rampant crookedness? Where is the reporting? (Oh, I forgot - Tom Cruise's squeeze had a baby).

[saigon68]

17. You Forgot Natalie Holloway, the vapid blonde, is back in action

[KansDem]

3. This just doesn't end!

So many people in this administration, or connected to this administration, wanting in on the action...

I would be angry if I were a US soldier putting my life on the line so some corrupt "opportunist" can either scam millions of dollars, or be bought with sex, money, or "designer watches."

This is getting out of hand!

edited for clarity

[democracyindanger]

4. So he still ends up $800k ahead?

Not a bad deal.

[elehhhhna]

11. plus however much of the 52 mil he sent to the Caymans. Crime pays.

[rodeodance]

5. so, how can we get as the Headline in a US paper?

[leftchick]

8. lots of luck

I am not holding my breath.

[rodeodance]

15. me either--was just expounding! drats.

[rodeodance]

9. k

[grasswire]

6. and what about Ms. Ledeen?

What was her take?

Was Elizabeth Cheney in a position to profit from this, then?

[mdmc]

7. thanks for the link and the op

peace

[xchrom]

10. lol -- no wonder snotty scotty walked away and left it to fat tony.

[Tanuki]

12. Robert Stein

"The scheme began in January 2004, when Bloom began paying bribes to Robert Stein, a civilian contractor who controlled $US82 million in reconstruction funds as the comptroller for the coalition's headquarters in Hillah.

Stein, who had a previous conviction for fraud when he was hired..."

How does someone with that kind of record get put in charge of tens of millions of our taxpayers' dollars? Who is responsible for hiring him, and what was his background? Does anyone know?

[leftchick]

13. um

it is the bush crime syndicate way. Paul Bremer "lost" nine fucking BILLION dollars! And He got a Medal from the president! They Reward criminal behavior!

[rodeodance]

14. and few seem to care.

[dweller]

16. Oh My! what will i tell the children?

another link to send to repug family member and 'friends' who never fail to wax apoplectic about a blowjob.

thanks :thumbsup:

:kick: and R.
dp

[Kailassa]

18. I wonder what proportion of the sex was with adults?

:eyes:

[Canuckistanian]

19. What about Jay Garner?

Remember him?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Garner

Didn't last long, did he? Ever wonder why?

[saigon68]

21. He was too honest

And not a lap dog like Bremer

[leftchick]

22. he didn't last long

because he was more honest than any of them. It didn't play well with the PNAC crowd.

[Canuckistanian]

24. He was against privatizing Iraq's public services

So, of course, he had to go.

[Blue_Tires]

20. sex for government contracts?

wherever ol' jeff gannon is, i bet he's wishing he was over there donating his special 'skills' to the cause

[Jim__]

23. Self delete.

I see it.