Report: Blackwater Execs May be Charged

[Soylent Brice]

Justice Department Reviewing Indictment on Weapons Charges Against Former President and Attorney

(AP) Federal prosecutors are considering filing weapons charges against former top officials of the Blackwater Worldwide private security company over allegations they illegally stockpiled automatic rifles at the company's North Carolina headquarters, The Associated Press has learned.

Senior Justice Department officials are reviewing a draft indictment against former president Gary Jackson, former Blackwater lawyer Andrew Howell, and a third man who used to work at the firm's armory, people close to the case told the AP. A decision is not expected until at least next month.

Any indictment, even of former executives, would be unwelcome news at a company beleaguered since a 2007 shooting involving Blackwater guards in Baghdad left 17 people dead. Under a new name, Xe, the firm is trying to win Defense Department approval to train police in Afghanistan. The contract could be worth up to $1 billion but has drawn the ire of some in Congress.

The potential charges stem from a raid conducted by federal agents in 2008 that seized 22 weapons, among them 17 AK-47s.

read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/23/national/main6325063.shtml

[gratuitous]

1. Penny ante stuff

They're holding automatic weapons for the local constabulary "as a favor." I want to see them hauled up on charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Erik Prince isn't even mentioned in this story.

[Robb]

8. They got Capone on taxes, etc. nt

[RKP5637]

2. We have a lot of slow learners about the types in Blackwater or some

lucrative contributions.

[catbyte]

3. Where the bleep is Erik Prince's name,

pray tell??!!

[RKP5637]

6. Amazing, so much of this stuff becomes WTF. n/t

[Mari333]

4. how much are we STILL paying MERCENARIES??

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Wiil you jkeep tracking this and post if there are any

actual...convictions?
Or contract denials?

Seriously, I mean it..I would love to see the follow up.

Thanks for posting.

:hi:

[Soylent Brice]

7. i've been doing the best i can to follow this.

i'll keep posting what i find.