Posted on 10/24/2014 4:55:42 AM PDT by Timber Rattler
Witnesses, attorneys and even the judge took special care not to let the phrase "Navy SEALs" pass their lips during a federal criminal trial in Alexandria this week, further cloaking an already mysterious case involving the purchase of hundreds of unmarked rifle silencers for the military.
Instead, people involved in the trial referred obliquely to "the program," "operators" and "other entities in the government" when discussing who might have wanted to use the silencers, which were acquired through a classified Navy contract.
On Wednesday, a key defense witness was interrupted almost immediately after he introduced himself as the weapons accessory manager for the Naval Special Warfare Command — which oversees the Navy's commando units, including the furtive SEALs.
"Has it been explained to you that certain terms are not to be used?" U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema cautioned. The witness, Rodney Lowell, replied that he had been advised of the restrictions but noted that the name of the Navy command itself was hardly a secret.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
In other accounts of this story, the real crux of this problem seems to be and apparently out of control black group under Navy command was operating on its own. A director who mostly likely was unsupervised and fostered a weird attitude among its employees.
This whole thing basically was brought to the surface when one of its civilians presented himself to another government agency’s doorstep and wanted to get a badge that allowed him to carry a weapon on premises.
IIRC it was after this when questions were being asked it was determined this group, it’s head and/or other supervisor were hooked into this scheme to give a garage mechanic brother in law a million dollar plus contract for unmarked silencers.
My own personal opinion is that the group developed its own charter and attitudes because it was woefully unsupervised and accountable to anyone, and this unchecked power is what led them to all this mess.
“unchecked power is what led them to all this mess.”
A fish rots from the head down..., and so will a country that no longer has checks and balances.
That whole idea would make a great basis for a book. :=)
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