Posted on 09/04/2007 1:25:05 PM PDT by Viking Ski Bum
Texas oil trader Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. is scheduled to go on trial tomorrow on charges he paid millions of dollars in kickbacks to the regime of Saddam Hussein to sell Iraqi oil under the United Nations oil-for-food program.
The trial is expected to include references to two other Texans who dabbled in oil: U.S. President George W. Bush and his father, the former president. The Bushes don't face any charges.
Mr. Wyatt says he believes the U.S. government targeted him because he has been an outspoken critic of the two Bush administrations, particularly over the two wars in Iraq.
Defense attorneys are expected to strike that theme as they argue their side. One pretrial motion by the defense, which the judge rejected, claimed the government was "vindictive" and "selective" in prosecuting Mr. Wyatt because of his opposition to U.S. policy in Iraq.
Unlike the complex dealings surrounding the oil-for-food program, the case has the makings of a colorful legal drama that will unfold as the political debate over the Iraq war hits high gear. "The underlying politics of the case will loom large," said Gerald Shargel, Mr. Wyatt's defense attorney.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
bttt
bump
With Oscar’s ego, its a wonder they can find a courtroom big enough...
I don’t know about that but I heard his first company was called the ‘Hardly Able Oil Company’ because he was hardly able to afford to start the thing. There’s a lot to this but he’s obviously a character.
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