U.S. Troops Investigated for Iraq Theft

AP News / Yahoo ^ | April 23, 2003 | CHRIS TOMLINSON

[D. Brian Carter]

U.S. Troops Investigated for Iraq Theft 11 minutes ago

By CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. military detectives are investigating five American soldiers in the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from a cache of money in Iraq (news - web sites), a commanding officer said Wednesday.

U.S. forces have recovered more than $600 million from hiding places near Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s palace complexes in central Baghdad, said Lt. Col. Philip DeCamp, commander of the 4th Battalion, 64th Infantry Regiment.

But along the way, a few U.S. troops apparently tried to stash hundreds of thousands of dollars, in $100 bills, for themselves, DeCamp said.

"We've recovered just about all the money we thought was taken. We're still looking into it," he said.

U.S. troops stumbled over several aluminum cases filled with $100 bills in an empty house Monday and officers initially estimated the total at more than $500 million. After checking the containers, it became clear someone had taken hundreds of thousands of dollars, and officers began looking for that money.

Although DeCamp said $600 million has been recovered in all, a soldier familiar with the inquiry put the total figure at about $900,000. The soldier spoke on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, which is responsible for investigating serious crimes involving American troops, has opened a case and five soldiers have been questioned, DeCamp said. No one has been charged.

U.S. troops have been searching government buildings and the homes of senior members of Saddam Hussein's regime for evidence related to weapons of mass destruction or government valuables. The U.S. military has promised to protect the cash and valuables found for a future Iraqi government.

[D. Brian Carter]

Watch for the s*** to hit the fan on this one...

[T Lady]

Yep. The 'Rat Media will play it up to the hoot. Just like they're trying to do with Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.

-Regards, T.

[Aaron0617]

Watch for the s*** to hit the fan on this one...

Always with the negative waves.

[Lazamataz]

I admit it. It was me. I got weak. I will return the money shortly. I promise. Besides, it wasn't my idea. Someone else thought it up. We are both very sorry. Can we make it up to the US somehow? We might have spent a little of it. I hope you understand. We made a mistake. We are sorry. We promise not to do it again.

[Lazamataz]

Yep. The 'Rat Media will play it up to the hoot. Just like they're trying to do with Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.

I admit it. Santorum's comments were my idea. I got homophobic. I will retract the comments shortly. I promise. Besides, it wasn't my idea. Rick thought it up. We are both very sorry. Can we make it up to the US somehow? We might have misspoken. I hope you understand. We made a mistake. We are sorry. We promise not to do it again.

[PhiKapMom]

Did you hear that the Customs officials confiscated loot from the Iraqi Museums from reportes returning from Iraq. MSNBC didn't give further details after this morning and I didn't hear it on Fox.

Guess that story will be covered up!

[Lazamataz]

Guess that story will be covered up!

I admit it. Covering that story up was my idea. I got secretive. I will publish it shortly. I promise. Besides, it wasn't my idea. Ted Turner thought it up. We are both very sorry. Can we make it up to the US somehow? We might have been too biased. I hope you understand. We made a mistake. We are sorry. We promise not to do it again.

[MizSterious]

This story appeared the other day, with no followup until now. On that thread, I mentioned that I had seen the CO on GMA saying, specifically, that he was proud of his men because they didn't keep so much as one bill. So which story is the truth?

[PhiKapMom]

ROFLOL!!!!!!!!!!! Now that was a good reply!!!!

[PhiKapMom]

Really good question! Truth and the media for the most part seem to be at odds on certain stories.

[T Lady]

Amen! Just get a load of the so-called paper of record, The New York Times' allegations of the Defense Department wanting to set up permanent bases in Iraq.

These ungreatful clods will stop at nothing to trash the very military that protects their rights and freedoms. Of course you have bad apples in every bunch, but this is one of their favorite targets to slam. Especially a military headed up by George W. Bush.

-Regards, T.

[MizSterious]

Personally, I'm going to hold my fire until I see some sort of confirmation. I heard that CO praise his guys for their honesty--and frankly, this is the second time I've seen the media try to float this one. I hope someone asks Rumsfield--if it's false, he'll shred them to bits.

[robertpaulsen]

I think I know where they got the idea:

[kinghorse]

BS!

When my dad finished his occupation stint in Germany and Japan he took all the steins and swords he wanted. What a bunch of PC BS. These guys put their lives on the line. THEIR LIVES!