Former officer sentenced for kickbacks (rigged Iraq reconstruction bids)

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - A former U.S. Army Reserve officer was sentenced to nearly two years in prison Monday for helping steer millions of dollars in Iraq-reconstruction contracts in exchange for jewelry, computers, cigars and sexual favors.

Lt. Col. Bruce D. Hopfengardner, 46, of Fredericksburg, Va., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud last year. He served as a special adviser to the U.S.-led occupation forces, recommending funding for projects on law enforcement facilities in Iraq.

Hopfengardner was sentenced to 21 months in prison, fined $144,500 and ordered to serve three years of probation.

He admitted conspiring with Philip H. Bloom, a U.S. citizen with businesses in Romania, and Robert J. Stein Jr., a former Defense Department contract official, to create a corrupt bidding process that included the theft of $2 million in reconstruction money.

Hopfengardner's role was to recommend that the Coalition Provisional Authority fund projects to demolish the Ba'ath Party headquarters, rebuild a police academy and construct various other facilities.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070625/ap_on_go_ot/iraq_contract_bribes

[Old and In the Way]

1. There are many others, higher up the food chain........

whatever happened to the missing 8 Billion? Ask Kate O'Berne's husband, he might have an idea...

[youngdem]

2. Only thing I can think of is that he forgot to pay the right people

It isn't like this administration gives two shits about contract corruption, or corruption of any kind.

Must have forgotten to cut in Uncle Dick.

[acmavm]

3. When's Cheney going to go on trial for stuffing Halliburton's stocking

and his own?