Posted on 02/03/2006 6:41:51 AM PST by Valin
In the United States, a former official has admitted stealing millions of dollars meant for the reconstruction of Iraq. Robert Stein held a senior position in the Coalition Provisional Authority, which administered Iraq after American and allied forces invaded in 2003. In a Washington court, he admitted to stealing more than $2m (£1.12m) and taking bribes in return for contracts. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Robert Stein's story is one of extraordinary corruption and excess amid the ruins of Iraq. He was in charge of overseeing money for the rebuilding of shattered infrastructure in south-central Iraq in 2003 and 2004.
Suitcases of cash
Mr Stein admitted in court to conspiring to give out contracts worth $8m to a certain company in return for bribes. He also received gifts and sexual favours lavished on him at a special villa in Baghdad.
But it didn't stop there. Robert Stein admitted to stealing $2m from reconstruction funds. Some of that money, the court heard, was smuggled onto aircraft and flown back to the United States in suitcases.
The case is an ugly twist in the tale of post-war Iraq. The Coalition Provisional Authority, which ceased to exist in 2004, has already endured some tough criticism over the way it managed funds and handed out contracts.
A report from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction on how the authority went about its business is expected in the coming weeks. The signs are it could make embarrassing reading for many of those involved.
Good post. No bid contracts are really nice.
Oh, sure! They'll print this, but where are the international stories on the Oil for Food scandal?
French and UN Oil for Food Program Adminstrators were quoted as sneering "Rank Amateur!"
Ya beat me to it.
At least they're already routing these thieves out. Hopefully charges will be pressed against them, and they can sit in jail for awhile.
When you have to deal in cash, as in Iraq, especially imeediately after the initial hostilities, there is going to be the temptation to get some of that moola floating around. maybe they can get some of the money back too.
Anyone know who hired or recommended this guy? Hopefully it was a Clinton screwup.
Mr. Stein went to Iraq after he was hired by S & K Technologies, a contracting company based in St. Ignatius, Mont. According to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, S & K won a contract from the Army for $4,950,384 to provide administrative support in Iraq.
As a minority-owned business, the company won the contract without having to bid for it competitively, according to the group's analysis. Greg DuMontier, chief executive officer of S & K, confirmed that Mr. Stein went to Iraq with the company but did not recall the specifics of his position.
S & K Technologies (S & K) is a Tribal-Owned corporation specializing in providing Information Technology Solutions, including relevant help desk support to the Department of Defense and other government customers. In accordance with the Aircraft Delivery Control Center SIC code of 8744, S & K is qualified as an 8(a) contractor under the SBA's 8(a) program.
The man also has an extensive criminal history according to the source above. Apparently S & K did not bother to do a background check when they hired him.
Thanks. Good work!
Lock this guy up and throw away the key. Hard to believe that an American would do this while our soldiers' lives were on the line. Swindlers like this are just a step above "Taliban Boy" Lindh on the treason scale, in my opinion.
This story will get very little attention from our MSM for obvious reasons. Or the sin of omission will be part of the reporting.
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